MOSBY'S  RANGERS 


Mosby's  Rangers 


A  Record  of  the  Operations  of  the   Forty-Third 

Battalion    of    Virginia    Cavalry    from    its 

Organization    to    the    Surrender 


By 

JAMES  J.  WILLIAMSON 

of  Company  A 


SECOND   EDITION 

Revised  and  Enlarged 


ILLUSTRATED 


NEW  YORK 

STURGIS  &  WALTON 
COMPANY 

1909 


Copyright  1895 
BY  JAMES  J.  WILLIAMSON 

Copyright  1909 
BY  STURGIS  &  WALTON  COMPANY 


First  Published  Elsewhere 

New  Edition  Revised  and  Augmented 

Published  June,  1909 


PREFACE  TO  REVISED  EDITION 

It  is  my  purpose  in  this  Revised  Edition  to  correct  errors, 
supply  omissions,  and  add  such  new  material  as  I  have 
collected  since  its  first  publication  In  doing  this  I  sought 
the  co-operation  of  my  old  comrades,  asking  them  to  call 
my  attention  to  any  statements  which  they  found  at  variance 
with  their  knowledge  of  affairs,  or  where  they  may  have 
had  better  opportunities  of  learning  the  facts. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  and  the  disbanding  of  our  com* 
mand,  the  survivors  scattered  over  the  country,  some  even 
seeking  refuge  beyond  the  border,  so  that  it  was  difficult 
to  ascertain  the  whereabouts  of  parties  to  obtain  information 
regarding  affairs  of  which  I  had  but  few  details.  Even 
when  these  were  found  it  was  sometimes  hard  to  recon 
cile  contrary  statements.  Two  persons,  perfectly  honest, 
equally  reliable,  and  either  with  or  without  prejudice,  will 
give  different  versions  of  the  same  occurrence,  each  view 
ing  it  from  his  own  standpoint.  This  is  particularly 
noticeable  in  recounting  the  details  of  a  fight,  where  each 
one  usually  has  sufficient  to  demand  attention  in  his  own 
immediate  vicinity,  and  things  may  take  place  at  a  little 
distance  from  him,  or  without  his  range  of  vision,  unnoticed 
by  him,  though  plainly  seen  by  others.  Aware  of  this,  I 
have  sought  to  get  the  statements  of  others,  not  only  to 
verify  my  own,  but  to  add  to  my  account  what  may  have 
escaped  my  observation  or  may  be  brought  to  my  recollec 
tion  in  this  way.  The  reunions  of  these  later  years  have 
brought  together  the  survivors  and  given  an  opportunity 
of  picking  up  many  missing  links. 

There  are  no  doubt  many  things  yet  which  are  not 
mentioned  in  this  work.  I  have  had  comrades  say*  "You 

do  not  speak  of  a  little  affair  which  took  place  at 

(naming  time  or  place)."  In  the  Good  Book  St.  John 
tells  us,  there  are  also  many  other  things  which  if  they 

280171 


IV  PREFACE   TO    REVISED  EDITION 

were  written,  every  one,  the  world  itself  would  not  be  able 
to  contain  the  books  that  should  be  written  While  I 
would  not  make  such  a  broad  assertion  as  this,  I  can  safely 
say  that  the  deeds  of  Mosby  and  his  Men,  if  written  every 
one,  would  fill  a  much  larger  volume  than  the  book  before 
you. 

While  the  bulk  of  the  command  was  on  an  excursion  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley  or  in  Fairfax,  small  squads  would 
be  out  in  various  directions  ;  consequently  many  occurrences 
are  not  noted,  and  the  affair  omitted  may  in  some  instances 
strike  the  participant  as  being-  more  important  than  others 
here  given. 

In  keeping  a  diary,  which  was  the  foundation  of  this 
work,  I  simply  followed  a  habit,  which  had  become  an 
amusement,  and  at  the  time  I  had  no  thought  of  publishing. 
Had  I  entertained  a  suspicion  of  this  I  would  have  been 
more  industrious  in  collecting  data  of  important  facts  and 
interesting  incidents.  I  now  see  with  regret  where  I  could 
have  obtained  a  fund  of  entertaining  matter,  which  I  did 
not  even  take  pains  to  inquire  into  or  make  note  of  at  the 
time.  So  it  is  with  us  all,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent — as 
we  grow  older  we  all  look  back  with  regret  at  our  lost 
opportunities. 


PREFACE  TO  FIRST  EDITION 

The  object  of  this  work  is  to  put  in  durable  form  a  record 
of  the  exciting  scenes  and  events  in  the  career  of  Mosby's 
Rangers,  in  most  of  which  I  was  an  humble  actor,  and  to 
preserve  the  memory  of  the  gallant  deeds  of  Colonel  Mosby 
and  of  his  brave  companions  who  shed  their  blood,  and  of 
our  heroic  dead  who  gave  up  their  lives,  in  the  cause  for 
which  we  fought. 

It  is  unnecessary  at  this  late  day  to  vindicate  the  military 
career  of  Mosby,  or  to  justify  his  taking  up  arms  in  obedi 
ence  to  the  call  of  his  State.  The  falsehoods  so  industri 
ously  circulated  concerning  Mosby's  Men  during  the  excite 
ment  of  the  war  by  partisan  newsmongers,  who  are  often  too 
ready  to  pander  to  popular  sentiment,  without  regard  to 
truth,  have  been  forever  set  at  rest  by  the  many  compli 
mentary  letters  and  notices  regarding  Mosby  from  Generals 
Lee,  Stuart,  Grant  and  others — Federal  and  Confederate. 

The  main  events  of  the  war  have  long  since  passed  into 
history,  and  will  now  be  judged  by  unprejudiced  minds, 
that  will  award  to  all  their  just  measure  of  commendation 
or  censure. 

I  have  worked  with  an  honest  purpose.  While  I  have 
presented  the  facts,  and  have  given  the  best  versions  I  could 
of  matters  from  my  standpoint,  I  have  also  deemed  it  only 
fair  to  give  the  other  side  of  the  story,  when  obtainable,  as 
it  is  my  desire  to  do  justice  to  all,  whether  friend  or  foe. 

This  book  is  really  the  result  of  the  habit  of  keeping  a 
diary.  During  my  imprisonment  in  the  spring  of  1863,  in 
the  Old  Capitol  prison  in  Washington,  I  kept  a  diary  as  a 
means  of  whiling  away  the  tedious  hours  of  prison  life. 
After  being  exchanged,  I  joined  Mosby  in  April,  1863,  two 
months  before  the  organization  of  Company  A,  his  first 
company,  and  was  with  him  until  the  surrender.  The  habit 


\  i  PREFACE. 

acquired  while  in  prison  still  clung  to  me  when  I  entered 
upon  the  active  life  of  a  ranger.  It  then  became  a  pleasure 
to  jot  down  the  events  that  came  under  my  observation  or 
that  I  heard  related  by  my  comrades  or  others.  I  soon 
began  to  feel  that  my  work  was  not  completed  until  I  had 
noted  down  briefly  what  had  happened  during  the  day. 
In  this  way  my  diary  was  kept — sometimes  written  by  the 
wayside,  sometimes  by  the  camp-fire,  sometimes  in  the  quiet 
of  the  fireside.  As  time  went  on,  my  interest  in  the  record 
increased,  though  it  was  kept  simply  as  a  matter  of  habit  and 
amusement — not  with  any  idea  of  publication. 

In  after  years,  realizing  that  I  was  growing  old,  and  that 
my  old  comrades  were  dropping  off  one  after  another,  it 
occurred  to  me  that  the  surviving  members  of  the  command 
might  be  interested  in  this  little  diary,  if  written  up  and  put 
in  suitable  form.  My  first  idea,  when  preparing  the  manu 
script,  was  to  publish  it  as  a  magazine  article,  under  the 
title  of  "  Leaves  from  the  Diary  of  one  of  Mosby's  Men." 
Then  I  set  about  collecting  portraits  of  officers  and  mem 
bers  of  the  command,  in  which  I  succeeded  far  beyond  my 
expectations.  I  also  procured  from  the  records  of  the  War 
Department,  Official  Federal  Reports  relating  to  many  mat 
ters,  in  order  to  give  the  Federal  version  The  work  grew 
on  my  hands. 

Meeting  my  old  friend,  Ralph  B.  Kenyon,  the  publisher, 
about  this  time,  and  telling  him  what  1  contemplated,  he 
said  that  my  record  supplied  too  important  a  chapter  of  war 
history  to  be  hidden  under  such  a  title  and  published  in 
such  a  way,  and  an  arrangement  was  soon  made  to  print  it 
as  a  history  of  Mosby's  Rangers. 

Once  in  hand,  no  pains  or  expense  have  been  spared  to 
make  the  work  as  complete  as  possible  in  all  its  details,  so 
that  it  might  be  not  only  an  accurate  and  authentic  record 
of  the  doings  of  Mosby's  Men,  but  that  for  the  surviving 
members  it  might  be  a  souvenir  of  the  old  days.  Whether 
this  has  been  accomplished  or  not,  the  book  must  speak  for 
itself. 

I  am  glad  of  this  opportunity  to  make  grateful  acknowl 
edgment  to  many  friends  and  comrades  whose  names  and 


PREFACE.  Ml 

portraits  appear  in  these  pages,  who  have  assisted  me,  both 
in  collecting  pictures,  and  in  furnishing  details  where  my 
record  was  imperfect  or  fragmentary.  Among  these  I  am 
particularly  under  obligations  to  Mr.  George  S.  Ayre, 
Lieut.  W.  Ben  Palmer,  Charles  H.  Dear,  Capt.  Walter  E. 
Frankland,  John  H.  Foster,  Joseph  W.  Owen,  Lieut.  Chan- 
ning  Smith,  John  N.  Ballard,  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Nelson  and 
Zach.  F.  Jones.  I  have  also  drawn  heavily  on  the  pictorial 
collections  of  James  E.  Taylor  and  Charles  Hall,  who  were 
both  in  the  ranks  of  the  Federal  army,  but  who  have  since 
proved  my  warm  friends  and  earnest  helpers — "  Enemies  in 
war;  in  peace,  friends." 

Ties  of  friendship  were  formed  with  companions  in  arms 
which  death  alone  can  sever.  It  is  with  mingled  emotions 
of  sadness  and  pleasure  that  we  cast  a  fond,  lingering  look 
back  through  the  misty  past,  and  re-enjoy  in  some  measure 
many  happy  hours,  which,  amid  all  the  hardships  and  disap 
pointments  of  those  exciting  times,  appear  in  the  retrospect 
like  green  spots  in  the  journey  of  life. 

If  this  work  will  refresh  the  memory  of  my  comrades  and 
thus  enable  them  to  live  over  again  some  of  the  old  scenes, 
and  at  the  same  time  be  the  means  of  convincing  our  North 
ern  brothers  that  "  Mosby's  Men  "  were  not  quite  so  bad  as 
they  have  been  represented  to  be,  the  hope  of  the  author 
will  be  realized. 

J.  J-  w. 

JERSEY  CITY,  N.  J., 
February,  1896. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Why  I  Joined  Mosby — Imprisoned  in  the  Old  Capitol  at  Washington — Sent  to  the  Parole 
Camp  near  Petersburg  and  Exchanged — I  set  out  to  find  Mosby — My  First  Sight  of 
Him — Brief  Sketch  of  His  Life — Mosby  a  Prisoner — Promoted  to  a  Captaincy  in  the 
C.  S.  A.— Mosby 's  First  Detail— Who  "  Mosby 's  Men"  Were— How  they  Lived  and 
How  they  Fought — Regulars  -vs.  Partisans — Guerrillas  and  Bushwhackers— Jessie 
Scouts — Tributes  to  Mosby  and  His  Men — General  Grant's  Opinion  of  Mosby — 
Mosby's  Tactics 13 

CHAPTER  II. 

Raid  on  Fairfax  Court  House — Capt.  Walter  E.  Frankland's  Reminiscences  of  His  Early  Days 
with  Mosby  and  Account  of  His  Trip  to  the  Camp  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry 
with  Sergeant  Ames  (Big  Yankee) — Col.  Mosby's  Graphic  Description  of  the  Raid  on 
Fairfax  Court  House  and  Capture  of  Gen.  Stoughton — Report  of  the  Federal  Provost- 
Marshal  at  Fairfax  Court  House— Gen.  Stuart's  Complimentary  Order — Mosby  Pro 
moted  to  the  Rank  of  Major 27 

CHAPTER  III. 

Guides  and  Scouts— Capture  Pickets  near  Herndon  Station — Chantilly  Fight— Fight  at 
Miskel's  (Broad  Run) — Capture  of  First  Virginia  (Federal)  Regiment  at  War^enton 
Junction — Mosby  Defeated  by  the  First  Vermont  and  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  and 
Prisoners  Recaptured — Raiding  Parties  Hunting  for  Mosby — "  The  Yankees  are 
Coming!  "—Skirmish  near  Blakeley's  Grove — Sixty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry 
Attempt  to  "  Bushwhack  "'  Mosby,  but  Catch  their  own  Men  in  the  Trap— Capture  of 
Train  and  Fight  at  Catlett  Station — Death  of  Captain  Hoskins 48 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Company  A  Organized — Engagement  at  Seneca  Mills— Death  of  Capt.  Brawner  and  Lieut. 
Whitescarver — Mosby  Penetrates  the  Federal  Lines  and  Captures  Two  Officers  of 
Hooker's  Staff — Alone  he  brings  out  Two  Prisoners — Great  Cavalry  Battle  near 
Upperville — "Bushwhacked"  near  Swell's  Chapel  and  Three  of  "  Mosby's  Men  " 
Wounded— General  Lee  in  Pennsylvania — Mosby  in  Pennsylvania— Lee  Falls  Back 
After  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg— Mead  Follows  Through  Loudoun — "  Mosby's  Men  '? 
in  the  Midst  of  the  Federal  Army— Skirmishing  in  the  Front  and  Picking  up  Sutlers 
in  the  Rear — Daring  Dashes  and  Exciting  Scenes— Prison  Camp  in  the  Bull  Run 
Mountains— Capture  of  Trains  in  Fairfax — Fight  at  Gooding's  Tavern — Mosby 
Wounded 69 

CHAPTER  V. 

Attack  Picket  Post  at  Carter's  Run— Capture  of  Sutlers  near  Warrenton— Mosby  Recovering 
from  his  Wounds  Returns  to  the  Command — Scouting  in  Fairfax — Company  B 
Organized— Rich  Haul  of  Sutlers  near  Alexandria — Blessed  are  the  Hungry  for  they 
shall  be  Filled— Characteristics  of  Mosby — Transfers — Capture  near  Chantilly — Trains 
Delayed  and  the  Enemy  well  Stirred  up— Mosby  Surrounded — He  Draws  the  Attention 
of  the  Enemy  while  Lieut.  Williams  brings  out  the  Command  Safely — A  Scouting 
Party  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  used  up  by  Baker's  Rangers— Harrover's  Adventure— His 
Capture,  Trial  by  Military  Commission,  Sentence,  Escape  and  Return  to  his  Command 
-  Capture  of  Wagon  Train  near  Warrenton— Capture  of  Two  Correspondents  of  the 
New  York  Herald 91 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Certificates  of  Membership  Issued— Deserters  and  Horse  Thieves — The  Rangers  Enter  a 
Wagon  Camp  near  Warrenton — Unhitch  Mules  but  couldn't  get  them  out — Turner 
and  the  Sutler — Capture  Five  Wagons  Loaded  with  Medical  Stores  near  Bealeton 
Station— Federal  Cavalry  in  Pursuit— They  Surround  a  House  where  some  of  Mosby's 
Men  stop  and  Richards  fights  his  way  out— The  "Charlie  Binns  Raid  "-  Good  Haul 
of  Mules  at  Brandy  Station — Capture  of  Picket  on  Hazel  River— Company  C  Organized 
—Close  of  the  Year  1863 105 

8 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER  VII. 

1864 — A  Detachment  of  Cole's  Battalion  Routed  at  Five  Points,  between  Rectortown  and 
Middleburg— Capture  of  Picket  Post  Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  on  Lee's  Ridge — 
Captain  Stringfellow—  Attack  on  Camp  of  Cole's  Battalion  on  Loudoun  Heights— A* 
Desperate  Fight — Repulse  of  Mosby— Death  of  Capt.  Smith  and  Lieut.  Turner— Mosby 
Loses  Many  of  his  Bravest  and  Best  Men 1 18 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Chapman  in  the  Valley — Picketing  the  Roads  to  Guard  Against  Raiding  Parties— Raid  of 
Gregg's  Cavalry  from  Warrenton,  Piloted  by  JohnCornweil — Mosby  now  a  Lieutenant- 
Colonel — Raid  of  Cole's  Battalion  —  Fight  near  Upperville — Raid  of  the  Second  Massa 
chusetts  Cavalry  and  Fight  near  Dranesville— Death  of  Capt.  Read,  Commanding  the 
Expedition 133 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Opening  of  the  Spring  Campaign  of  1864 — Mosby's  Operations—  375  Men  Sent  Out  to  Capture  6 
of  "Mosby's  Men" — Attack  Patrol  near  Greenwich -Richards  Captures  Picket  Post 
near  Charlestown — Skirmish  at  Kabletown— '  Breaking  Up  Distilleries — A  Prisoner 
Escapes  with  Mosby's  Favorite  Horse— Company  D  Organized — Death  of  Lieut. 
Trundle  — Death  of  Flannery — Prepared  to  Receive  Raiders — Capture  of  Picket  Post 
near  Hunter's  Mill— Capture  of  Lieut.  Hunter  and  Wounding  of  Lieut.  Nelson — 
Lieut.  Richards  Appointed  to  Command  Company  B — Raid  of  the  Federals  from 
Vienna  and  Fairfax  Court  House — Several  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  Killed,  Wounded  and 
Captured 148 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  Federal  Army  under  Grant  Moving  toward  Fredericksburg  -Mosby  in  their  Rear — 
Captures  Train  near  Belle  Plain — Richards  and  Chapman  in  the  Valley  in  Sigel's  Rear 
— Skirmish  with  the  "  Loudoun  Rangers  "  at  Waterford — "  Mosby's  Men  "  in  the 
Valley— Capture  of  Picket  Post  at  Guard  Hill !62 

CHAPTER  XL 

The  Shenandoah  Valley— General  Hunter's  Brutal  Orders— Attack  Train  near  Newtown — 
"Mosby's  Confederacy"— Bounds  Prescribed- The  Old  Battle  Field  of  Bull  Run- 
Capture  Federal  Cavalry  near  Chantilly — Fight  near  Charlestown  —  Capture  of 
Duffield  Depot— The  Return  from  the  Raid 171 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Fourth  of  July  at  Point  of  Rocks — Crossing  the  Potomac  Under  Fire — Capture  Camp — Cut  Off 
Telegraph  and  Railroad  Communication  with  Washington — Along  the  Potomac  not 
"All  Quiet" — Fight  at  Mount  Zion — Defeat  and  Capture  of  Major  Forbes — Mosby 
in  Maryland— Burning  Block  Houses,  Etc 184 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

General  Early  Falls  Back  from  Maryland— The  Federal  Forces  under  General  Crook  Follow 
Through  Loudoun— Capture  Picket  Post  at  the  "  Big  Poplar" — Outrages  in  Loudoun 
— The  Sixth  Corps  (Gen.  Wright)  Falling  Back  to  Washington  — "  Mosby's  Men  ''  on 
their  Track 192 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

General  Early  again  in  Maryland — Company  E  Organized — Artillery  Company  Organized—- 
The  Adamstown  Raid— Capture  of  Picket  Post  at  Mouth  of  Monocacy— Federal 
Troops  Stirred  Up  along  the  Potomac — Trying  to  Cut  Off  Mosby's  Men  at  the  Fords 
—Company  E  in  a  Tight  Place 197 

CHAPTER  XV. 

General  Early  in  Maryland  Once  More— Sheridan  Assumes  Command  in  the  Valley— Mosby 
on  the  Potomac — In  Fairfax — Capture  of  Pickets — Skirmish  near  Fairfax  Station — • 
Death  of  Captain  Flemming — Fight  near  Berryville— Defeat  of  General  Kenly  and 
Capture  of  Sheridan's  Supply  Train— The  Largest  Capture  Ever  Made  by  Mosby — 


10  CONTENTS. 

Exciting  Scenes— The  Pay  master's  Greenbacks  Were  There,  but  We  Didn't  Know  It — 
The  Result  of  the  Capture  — A  Heavy  Blow  to  Sheridan,  Compelling  Him  to  Fall  Back 
to  Harper's  Ferry— Vigilance  and  Activity  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "—Capture  of  the  New 
York  Tribune  Correspondent — Lieut.  Walker  and  All  His  Escort  Killed  or  Captured — 
"  Mosby's  Men"  in  the  Valley — Capture  Picket  Post  near  Castleman's  Ferry — House- 
burners  at  Work — No  Mercy  for  Helpless  Women  and  Children— No  Quarter  for 
Incendiaries 203 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Burial  of  Lieut.  William  Martin— Channing  M.  Smith — Attack  Camp  at  Annandale — Shelling 
Federal  Camp— The  Federals  "Held  the  Fort  "—The  Eighth  Illinois  Sent  Oo'i  to 
"  Exterminate  Guerrillas  "—Sheridan  Expresses  the  Hope  that  They  Have  "  Cleaned 
Out  the  Loudoun  Valley  " — Another  and  More  Formidable  Expedition  Planned — The 
Eighth  Illinois  and  Sixteenth  New  York  Raid  Loudoun  —  Poor  Results  Af  tei 
All  — In  the  Valley— Chapman,  with  the  Second  Squadron,  Routs  the  Sixth  New  York 
Cavalry  near  Berry ville— Lieut.  Palmer  Distinguishes  Himself — Jarman  and  Iden 
Killed,  and  Lieut.  Fox  and  Clay  Ac'ams  Mortally  Wounded— Myers'  Ford — First 
Squadron  Surprised  by  Blazer — Lieut.  Nelson  and  Others  Wounded— Mosby  and 
Richards  Operating  in  Sheridan's  Rear— Joseph  W.  Owen  Captures  Two  Ambulances 
Loaded  with  Federal  Infantry — Crook's  Ambulance  Train  "  Stampeded  by  Six  of 
Mosby's  Men  " 217 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Company  F  Organized — Mosby  i:i  Fairfax  —Enters  Camp  near  Falls  Church — Mosby  Again 
Wounded,  but  Brought  Out  Safely— Col.  Gansevoort's  Report  of  his  Scout  in  Search 
of  Mosby— Gen.  Chapman's  (Federal)  Raid— Chapman  -vs.  Chapman  — Skirmish  in 
Snicker's  Gap  and  Recapture  of  Prisoners — Capt.  Chapman  in  the  Valley — With 
Lieut.  Fray,  Ed.  Hurst  and  a  Few  Other  Bold  Partisans,  Makes  a  Series  of  Captures — 
"  Gobbles  Up  "  a  Squad  of  Federal  Officers  and  Gathers  in  Sutlers 231 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Capt.  Samuel  Chapman  in  the  Valley — Fight  near  Chester  Gap  —Death  of  a  Brave  Federal 
Officer — Six  of  "  Mosby's  Men  ''  Murdered  at  Front  Royal— "  Bob  Ridley  "  and  his 
Dutch  Prisoner— Capt.  Wm.  Chapman's  Fight  with  a  Detachment  of  Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry — Raiders  at  Piedmont — Burning  of  Joe  Blackwell's  House— 
44  Mosby's  Headquarters" — Examining  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad  -Raiding  Parties 
Searching  for  Mosby — They  take  a  Sick  Man  Out  of  Bed,  Strip  and  Examine  Him  for 
Wounds—"  Mosby's  Men  "  in  the  Valley 239 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Attempt  to  Reconstruct  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad—"  First  Completely  Clean  Out  Mosby" 
—Mosby  Returns  to  his  Command,  though  not  Entirely  Recovered  from  his 
Wounds — Pushing  Forward  Federal  Troops  on  the  Railroad — Fight  at  Salem  and 
Flight  of  Federals  to  Rectortown— Shelling  Camps — Driving  Back  Trains — Tearing 
up  and  Destroying  Tracks  as  Fast  as  Relaid — Gen.  Augur  Arrives  on  the  Scene — 
Heavy  Force  of  Cavalry  to  Reinforce  the  Federal  Infantry— Death  of  Lieut.  Ames 
(Big  Yankee) — Capture  of  Courier  and  Escort  with  Dispatches  in  Ashby's  Gap- 
Death  of  Lieut.  Bowie  —Mosby  Still  Annoys  the  Enemy — Road  in  Working  Order  to 
Piedmont,  but  Very  Slow  Work— Trains  Thrown  Off  the  Track— Attacks  on  Foraging 
Parties  —Mosby  Narrowly  Escapes  Capture 247 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Richards  in  the  Valley — Capture  of  Ambulance  and  Escort — Col.  Tolles,  Sheridan's  Chief 
Quartermaster,  and  Dr.  Ohlenschlager,  Medical  Inspector,  Mortally  Wounded — 
44  Jessie  Scouts" — "The  Greenback  Raid" — Letting  a  Train  Down  Easy— Capture 
of  Major  Ruggles  and  Major  Moore  with  $168,000  in  Greenbacks— Paymasters 
Alarmed— Capt.  Chapman  in  Maryland — Alarm  Along  the  Potomac — Skirmish  with 
the  Loudoun  Rangers— Immense  Loss  to  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad— Capture  of 
Mosby's  Artillery — Mosby  in  Fairfax — Annandale — Falls  Church 259 


CONTENTS.  I  I 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Camping  Out — Shebangs— Running  Citi/en-s  and  "  Guerrillas  "  on  the  Railroad— Gen.  Augin 
Unable  to  Protect  and  Run  the  Road  with  all  the  Force  at  his  Command  — Killing  of 
Jamison  Ashby  —  Mosby's  Letter  to  Gen.  Lee — Indorsement  by  Gen.  Lee  and  the 
Secretary  of  War— Attack  on  Foragers  on  the  Piedmont  Road- Richards  in  the 
Valley  — Leslie's  Special  Artist  Loses  his  Pie— Mosby  in  Sheridan's  Rear— Capture 
of  Gen.  Duffle-  Attack  Wagon  Train  on  the  Winchester  Pike  — Capt.  Frankland's 
Fight  with  the  Eighth  Illinois  near  Upperville — Repulse  of  "  Mosby's  Men"— Atkins, 
Davis,  Carrington  and  Gulick  Killed— Murphy  Takes  his  First  Lesson  from  Harry 
Hatcher 272 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

The  Hanging  of  Willis — Hipkins  Saved  by  Half  a  Mule— Letter  of  Instructions  to  Mosby — 
Retaliation -Drawing  Lots— The  Drummer  Bov— The  Execution — Escape  of  Two 
of  the  Prisoners— Mosby  Sends  a  Letter  to  Gen.  Sheridan  by  Lieut.  John  Russell — 
Mosby's  Letter— The  "Black  Flag" 288 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Giving  up  the  Attempt  to  Reconstruct  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  and  Removing  the  Rails 
to  Repair  the  Winchester  &  Potomac  Road— Powell's  Raid — Inspection  of  "Mosby's 
Men '  at  Rectortown— Company  D  in  the  Valley— Skirmish  between  Winchester  and 
Newtown- Attacked  by  Blazer— Death  of  Braxton  and  Bredell— Blazer's  Command — 
Who  They  Were— The  Struggle  for  the  Mastery— The  First  Squadron  Sets  Out  in 
Search  of  Blazer— Fight  Near  Kabletown— Defeat  and  Capture  of  Blazer— Charles 
McDonough— Death  of  Lieut.  Cole— Prisoners  to  Richmond— Lieut.  Frank  Turner  in 
the  Valley — Companies  C  and  E  in  the  Valley— Capture  and  Recapture  of  Trains — 
Narrow  Escape  of  Mosby— Frank  Angelo -Company  D  in  Loudoun— Chase  of  the 
Loudoun  Rangers— Death  of  Capt.  Montjoy— Disbanding  of  Artillery  Company- 
Organization  of  Company  G 298 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

General  Merritt's  Raid  Through  Loudoun— Laying  Waste  "  Mosby's  Confederacy  " — Sheri 
dan's  Orders  to  Merritt— The  Work  of  Destruction — Burning  and  Plunder — Robbing 
the  Popr-House— Welt  Hatcher  Shoots  a  Federal  Officer  in  the  Midst  of  his  Men, 
Thinking  he  was  Custer— Merritt's  Report— Crowninshield's  Report 316 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Fight  with  a  Detachment  of  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  near  Millwood— Death 
of  Capt.  Miles — Mosby  Returns  from  Richmond  a  Full  Colonel — Win.  H.  Chapman 
now  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  A.  E.  Richards,  Major— Robt.  S.  Walker,  Captain  of 
Company  B —Bush  Underwood  Operating  in  Fairfax — Mosby  again  Wounded — Left 
by  the  Federals  who  Supposed  his  Wounds  Mortal,  he  is  Carried  off  Safely  by  his 
Men— Raiders  Searching  for  Mosby— Close  of  the  Year  1864 325 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

1865 — Rumors  of  Peace  and  War — Companies  C,  E,  F  and  G  Sent  to  Northern  Neck  of  Vir 
ginia—Richards  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad— Dash   into   Camp   of   Twelfth 
Pennsylvania   Cavalry — Bush   Underwood  in   Fairfax  — Federal   Cavalry   Visit   Major 
Richards'    House— Narrow    Escape   of   the    Major  and    Companions— The    Federals 
I          Divide  their  Force — One  Party,  Loaded  Up  with  Apple  Jack,  had  to  be  Sent  Home, 

and  the  Other,  Less  Fortunate,  Badly  Used  Up  by     Mosby's  Men  "  at  Mount  Carmel.  339 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Battalion  Sent  Down  Loudoun  to  Press  Corn— Attack  Federal  Patrol  Below  Vienna — Raiders 
from  Rappahannock  Pass  Through  Fauquier— Lieut.  Hatcher  Taken  Prisoner— Col. 
Reno  with  a  Force  from  Harper's  Ferry  Sent  to  Drive  Mosby  Out  of  Loudoun  — Fight 
at  Harmony — Following  up  Raiders  Through  Loudoun— Capture  of  Quartermaster 
James 352 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Company  H  Organized — They  Start  out  to  Distinguish  Themselves — Attack  and  Rout  the 
Loudoun  Rangers — News  of  the  Fall  of  Richmond  and  Surrender  of  Gen.  Lee— Capt. 
Robert  S.  Walker  Sent  South  to  Learn  the  True  State  of  Affairs — Companies  A  and 
B  in  the  Valley— Companies  D  and  H  in  Fairfax— Skirmish  at  Arundels 364 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Gen.  Hancock  Calls  on  Mosby  to  Surrender  and  Sends  Circular  to  Citizens— Companies 
Return  from  Northern  Neck — Lieut. -Col.  Chapman  Goes  to  the  Valley  with  a  Flag 
of  Truce — A  Truce  Between  the  Federals  and  Mosby's  Command— Mosby  Determines 
to  Disband  his  Command,  but  Refuses  to  Surrender  to  Gen.  Hancock.. 373 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Disbanding  of  "Mosby's  Men"  —  Mosby's  Farewell  to  his  Men  —  Parting  of  Old  Friends  and  Com 
rades — To  Winchester  to  be  Paroled  —  Our  Reception  by  the  Federals — Mosby  goes  South, 
but  Finding  the  Cause  Hopeless  Accepts  the  Situation  and  is  Paroled 392 


From  a  Recent  Photograph 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Why  I  Joined  Mosby — Imprisoned  in  the  Old  Capitol  at  Washington — Sent  to  the  Parole  Camp 
near  Petersburg  and  Exchanged— I  set  out  to  find  Mosby — My  First  Sight  of  Him — 
Brief  Sketch  of  his  Life — Mosby  a  Prisoner — Promoted  to  a  Captaincy  in.  the  C.  S.  A. 
— Mosby's  First  Detail — Who  "  Mosby's  Men"  Were— How  they  Lived  and  How  they 
Fought — Regulars  vs.  Partisans— Guerrillas  and  Bushwhackers — Jessie  Scouts — Tributes 
to  Mosby  and  his  Men— General  Grant's  Opinion  of  Mosby— Mosby's  Tactics. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1863,  after  an  imprisonment  of 
some  months  in  the  Old  Capitol,  at  Washington,  which 
had  been  converted  into  a  political  prison,  the  writer 
was  sent,  together  with  a  number  of  others,  via  Fortress 
Monroe  and  City  Point,  to  the  Parole  Camp  at  Model 
Farm  Barracks,  near  Petersburg,  where  we  were  detained 
about  two  weeks  until  exchanged. 

Among  the  acquaintances  I  had  made  in  prison  were 
six  young  men  who,  like  myself,  being  denied  the 
privilege  of  returning  to  their  homes,  had  determined  to 
unite  their  fortunes  with  Captain  Mosby,  who  was  then 
making  a  reputation  by  his  dashing  and  successful  exploits. 
The  injustice  of  my  imprisonment  and  the  arbitrary  and 
partisan  oath  offered  me  as  a  condition  of  release,  alien 
ated  or  rather  hardened  my  feelings,  so  that  I  readily 
joined  this  party,  and  together  we  started  in  search  of 
the  daring  ranger. 

Journeying  from  Petersburg  to  Gordonsville  by  railroad, 
we  proceeded  thence  on  foot  through  the  country  to  that 
portion  of  Virginia  occupied  by  Mosby. 

When  we  reached  the  little  town  of  Upperville,  in 
Fauquier  County,  we  learned  there  was  to  be  a  meeting 
of  "  Mosby's  Men "  at  that  place  on  the  following  day. 
So  after  a  night's  rest  and  breakfast  in  the  morning,  we 


14      .'.V  »  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

walked  out  through  the  town   and    saw   them    coming  in 
from  various  directions.1 

Soon  I  beheld  Mosby  himself.  From  the  accounts  which 
I  had  heard  and  read  of  him,  I  expected  to  see  a  man 
such  as  novelists  picture  when  describing  some  terrible 
brigand  chief.  I  was  therefore  somewhat  surprised  when 
one  of  my  companions  pointed  to  a  rather  slender,  but 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  S.  MOSBY. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  in  Richmond,  Va.,  in  January,  1863,  when 

starting  on  his  Partisan  career.    He  wore  this  uniform  the  night 

he  captured  General  Stoughton,  March  8,  1863. 

wiry  looking   young   man   of   medium    height,   with    light 
hair,  keen  eyes  and  pleasant  expression,  who  was  restlessly 
walking  up  and  down  the  street,  and  said  : 
"  There  is  Mosby.'* 

1  My  companions  were  :    John  H.  Barnes,  Frank  Fox,  Philip  Lee,  Thomas 
Lee,  Charles  Ratcliffe  and  Albert  Wrenn. 


MOSBY'S  RANGF.RS.  15 

I  could  scarcely  believe  that  the  slight  frame  before 
me  could  be  that  of  the  man  who  had  won  such  military 
fame  by  his  daring. 

John  Singleton  Mosby  was  born  at  Edgemont,  Powhatan 
County,  Virginia,  December  6,  1833.  His  father  was  Alfred 
D.  Mosby,  of  Amherst  County,  and  his  mother,  Virginia  I., 
daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  McLaurin,  an  Episcopal  minister.  He 
graduated  at  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  began  the  study 
of  law.  After  completing  his  studies  he  settled  in  Bristol,  a 
small  town  on  the  boundary  line  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee, 
where  he  successfully  practiced  his  profession.  He  married 
Miss  Pauline  Clarke,  daughter  of  Hon.  Beverly  J.  Clarke, 
of  Kentucky,  formerly  United 
States  Minister  to  Central  Amer 
ica,  and  at  one  time  a  Member  of 
Congress. 

At  the  commencement  of  the 
war  Mosby  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law.  He  entered  the 
army  as  a  private  in  a  cavalry 
company,  the  Washington  Mount 
ed  Rifles,  commanded  by  Capt. 
William  E.  Jones  (afterwards 
General  Jones).  This  company 
was  incorporated  in  the  First 
Regiment  Virginia  Cavalry, 
Captain  Jones  being  promoted  GENERAL  \VM.  E.  JONES,  c.  s.  A. 

tO      the      COmmand,       and       Mosby  From  a  War-time  photograph. 

was  appointed   Adjutant  of  the 

regiment.  By  the  reorganization  of  the  regiment  Colonel 
Jones  was  thrown  out,  and  consequently  his  adjutant  relieved 
of  duty.  Mosby  was  then  chosen  by  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart 
as  an  independent  scout. 

He  was  the  first  to  make  the  circuit  of  the  Federal  Army 
while  in  front  of  Richmond,  thereby  enabling  General  Stuart 
to  make  his  celebrated  raid  around  the  entire  army  of 
General  McClellan,  on  which  occasion  Mosby  went  as 
guide. 

Feeling   that  there   was  a   wide  field   for  the  successful 


i6 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


career  as  a  partisan  which  he  had  mapped  out  for  himself, 
Mosby  urged  General  Stuart  to  give  him  a  small  detail  of 
men  with  which  to  operate  until  he  could  enlist  a  command. 
While  he  met  with  a  refusal  of  this  request,  he  was  given  a 
letter  recommending  him  to  General  Jackson,  then  in  the 
vicinity  of  Gordonsville. 

It  happened  that  Gen.  Rufus  King,  who  was  in  command 
of  the  Federal  forces  at  Fredericksburg  at  this  time,  was 
ordered  by  General  Pope  to  send  out  a  raiding  party  for 
the  purpose  of  destroying  as  much  as  possible  the  Virginia 
Central  Railroad,  and  so  interrupt  communication  between 
Richmond  and  the  Valley.  Mosby  encountered  this  party 
near  Beaver  Dam,  was  captured  by  the  Second  New  York 
Cavalry,  u  Harris  Light,"  Col.  J.  Mansfield  Davies,  and  sent 
as  a  prisoner  to  Washington. 

After  his  release  from  the  Old  Capitol,  and  while  on  the 
prison  transport  awaiting  exchange,  Mosby  saw  the  trans- 


OLD   CAPITOL  PRISON    AT   WASHINGTON. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS.  \J 

ports  bringing  Burnside's  forces  from  the  South,  and  learned 
from  conversations  on  board  the  prison  boat  that  the  troops 
were  destined  for  Fredericksburg  to  unite  with  Pope;  then 
on  the  Rapidan,  and  not  to  reinforce  McClellan.  As  soon 
as  the  exchange  was  effected,  Mosby  hastened  to  Richmond 
and  imparted  this  information  to  General  Lee,  who  immedi 
ately  dispatched  a  courier  to  General  Jackson.  The  result 
was  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain. 

How  well  Mosby  performed  his  duty  as  a  scout  is  shown 
by  the  following : 

"  Special  Order  No.  82. 

"  His  Excellency  the  President  has  pleased  to  show  his 
appreciation  of  the  good  services  and  many  daring  exploits 
of  the  gallant  John  S.  Mosby  by  promoting  the  latter  to  a 
captaincy  in  the  Provisional  Army  of  the  Confederate 
States. 

"  The  General  commanding  is  confident  that  this  mani 
festation  of  the  approbation  of  his  superiors  will  but  serve 
to  incite  Captain  Mosby  to  still  greater  efforts  to  advance 
the  good  of  the  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged.  He  will 
at  once  proceed  to  organize  his  command  as  indicated  in 
the  letter  of  instructions  this  day  furnished  to  him  from  this 
Headquarters. 

"  By  command  of  General  R.  E.  Lee : 

"  W.  W.  TAYLOR,  A.  A.  G." 

The  winter  of  1863,  about  the  time  Mosby  was  budding 
into  notoriety,  was  a  season  of  remarkable  activity  for  the 
Confederate  cavalry.  Their  bold  and  successful  raids  and 
daring  attacks  and  surprises  had  filled  the  breasts  of  the 
young  cavaliers  with  most  romantic  visions  and  ardent  de 
sires  to  enter  upon  this  life  of  wild  adventure.  Stuart's 
brilliant  achievements,  General  Imboden's  forays  in  the  Shen- 
andoah  Valley,  Fitzhugh  Lee  on  the  Rappahannock,  Gen. 
William  E.  Jones'  attack  and  rout  of  Milroy's  Cavalry  in 
the  Valley,  the  daring  raids  of  Major  E.  V.  White  and  his 
Loudoun  Rangers  along  the  Potomac,  and  the  dashes  of 
Captain  Randolph,  with  his  famous  Black  Horse  Cavalry, 
furnished  material  for  stories  which  read  like  the  deeds  of 
heroes  of  romance,  and  charmed  the  little  groups  around  the 
firesides  of  cabin  and  hall. 


18 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


At  first  a  few  men  from  the  First  Regiment  Virginia 
Cavalry2  were  detailed  to  act  with  Mosby,  but  he  soon  suc 
ceeded  in  obtaining  a  sufficient  number  of  volunteers,  and 
the  detailed  men  were  then,  with  a  few  exceptions,  sent  back 
to  their  commands. 

"  Mosby 's  Men,"  when  not  on  duty,  were  mostly  scattered 
through  the  counties  of  Loudoun  and  Fauquier3.  There 

were  few  indeed,  even 
among  the  poorest  mount 
aineers,  who  would  refuse 
shelter  and  food  to  Mosby 's 
Rangers. 

Having  no  camps,  they 
made  their  homes  at  the 
farm  houses,  especially  those 
along  the  Blue  Ridge  and 
Bull  Run  Mountains.  Cer 
tain  places  would  be  desig 
nated  at  which  to  meet,  but 
if  no  time  or  place  had  been 
named  at  a  former  meeting, 
or  if  necessary  to  have  the 
command  together  before  a 
time  appointed,  couriers 
were  despatched  through 
the  country  and  the  men 
thus  notified. 

Scouts   were    out    at   all 
times  in  Fairfax,  or  along  the  Potomac,  or  in  the  Shenandoah 

5  Mosby's  first  detail  was  composed  of  15  men  from  the  First  Virginia 
Cavalry:  Fountain  Beattie,  Charles  Buchanan,  Christopher  Gaul,  William  L. 
Hunter,  Edward  S.  Hurst,  Jasper  Jones,  William  Jones,  William  Keys, 
Benjamin  Morgan,  George  Seibert,  George  M.  Slater,  Daniel  L.  Thomas, 
Thomas  Turner,  Charles  Wheatly  and  John  Wild. 

8  Loudoun  County  was  originally  a  portion  of  Fairfax,  and  was  named  in 
honor  of  the  Earl  of  Loudoun,  Commander  of  the  Military  Affairs  in  America 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  French  and  Indian  war.  The  middle  of  the 
county,  southwest  of  Waterford  and  west  of  Leesburg,  was  settled  mostly  by 
emigrants  from  the  Middle  States,  many  of  them  being  Friends  or  Quakers,  and 
that  section  was  generally  spoken  of  as  the  "  Quaker  Settlement."  That  part 
northwest  of  Waterford  was  originally  settled  by  Germans. 

Fauquier  Coiinty  was  formed  in  1759  from  Prince  William,  and  took  its  name 
from  Francis  Fauquier,  Governor  of  Virginia  from  1758  to  1767. 


LIEUT.-COL.  ELIJAH  V.  WHITE. 

35th  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry. 

"White's  Battalion." 


MOSBYS   RANGERS.  19 

Valley.  Whenever  an  opening  was  seen  for  successful  op 
erations,  couriers  were  sent  from  headquarters  and  in  a  few 
hours  a  number  of  well-mounted  and  equipped  men  were  at 
a  prescribed  rendezvous  ready  to  surprise  a  picket,  cap 
ture  a  train  or  attack  a  camp  or  body  of  cavalry.  After 
a  raid  the  men  scattered,  and  to  the  Federal  cavalry  in  pur 
suit  it  was  like  chasing  a  Will-o'-the-Wisp. 

The  command  was  composed  chiefly  of  young  men  from 
Fairfax  and  the  adjoining  counties,  with  some  Marylanders, 
many  of  whom  had  been  arrested  and  imprisoned  or 'had 
suffered  injuries  and  injustice  at  the  hands  of  the  Federal 
government  or  the  invading  army.  It  was  the  custom  of 
many  Federal  officers  to  retaliate  upon  defenseless  citizens 
for  injuries  inflicted  upon  them  by  Confederate  soldiers,  and 
can  any  one  feel  surprised  at  "  Mosby's  Men  "  taking  up 
arms  to  protect  themselves  or  to  avenge  their  wrongs? 

A  large  number  lived  in  that  portion  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland  where  Mosby  was  operating,  and  naturally  pre 
ferred  serving  with  him,  as  they  were  kept  nearer  home  and 
could  enjoy  the  privilege  of  seeing  their  families. 

There  was  always  a  little  jealousy  existing  between  the 
cavalry  and  infantry,  many  of  whom  lost  no  opportunity  of 
having  a  thrust  at  their  rivals.  Illustrative  of  this  ran  the 
old  joke  of  the  day  which  will  be  remembered  by  the  sur 
vivors  of  the  war : 

An  old  straggling  infantryman,  trudging  wearily  on  the 
road,  was  overtaken  by  a  cavalryman  riding  briskly  along, 
who  called  out : 

"  Hurry  up  there,  old  web-foot ;  the  Yankees  are  coming." 

"  Did  you  see  'em,  Mister  ?  "  queried  the  infantryman. 

"  Yes;  they  are  coming  on  right  behind  us,"  replied  the 
trooper. 

"  Say,  Mister,  wus  your  hoss  lame,  or  wus  your  spurs 
broke?"  retorted  the  web-foot. 

So  also  the  regular  cavalry,  viewing  the  comparative 
freedom  of  the  life  of  the  Partisan  Ranger  in  contrast  with 
the  dull  routine  and  more  rigid  discipline  of  camp  life, 
sometimes  gave  vent  to  their  feelings,  and  half  in  jest  and 
half  in  earnest  would  banter  the  Rangers,  calling  them 


20 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


"  Carpet  Knights"  or  <k  Feather-bed  Soldiers  " — but  when 
a  sacrifice  was  required,  the  "  Carpet  Knights  "  shed  their 
blood  and  gave  up  their  lives  as  freely  as  did  the  Knights  of 
old  in  the  palmiest  days  of  chivalry.4 

4  The  attention  of  the  Con 
federate  authorities  was  fi 
nally  called  to  this  matter. 

General  Thomas  L.  Rosser, 
writing  to  General  Lee  regard 
ing  the  efficiency  and  useful 
ness  of  the  Partisan  Rangers, 
January  n,  1864,  says  :  "The 
effect  on  the  service  is  bad 
ard  should  be  corrected,  be 
cause  : 

"  First.  It  keeps  men  out 
of  the  service  whose  bayonet 
or  sabre  should  be  counted  on 
the  field  of  battle  when  the 
life  or  death  of  our  country 
is  the  issue. 

"  Second.  They  cause  great 
dissatisfaction  in  the  ranks 
from  the  fact  that  these  irreg 
ular  troops  are  allowed  so 
much  latitude,  so  many  privi 
leges.  They  sleep  in  houses 
and  turn  out  in  the  cold  only 
when  it  is  announced  by  their 
chief  that  they  are  to  go  upon 
a  plundering  expedition. 

"Third.     It   renders   other 
troops  dissatisfied  ;  hence  encourages  desertion." 

General  Rosser  suggested  as  a  remedy  "  placing  all  men  on  the  same  footing 
who  are  of  the  same  rank.  If  it  is  necessary  for  troops  to  operate  within  the 
lines  of  the  enemy,  then  require  the  commanding  officer  to  keep  them  in  an 
organized  condition,  to  rendezvous  within  our  lines,  and  move  upon  the 
enemy  when  opportunity  is  offered." 

With  all  due  respect  to  General  Rosser,  it  is  a  certainty  that  had  his  remedy 
been  applied  to  "  Mosby's  Men  "  it  would  have  accomplished,  in  an  incredibly 
short  space  of  time,  what  the  Federals,  with  all  the  resources  at  their  command, 
after  the  most  persistent  efforts  failed  to  accomplish — the  destruction  of  Mosby's 
command.  As  Mosby  expressed  it  : 

"  My  men  had  no  camps.  If  they  had  gone  into  camp  they  would  soon  have 
all  been  captured.  They  would  scatter  for  safety  and  gather  at  my  call  like 
the  Children  of  the  Mist." 

General  Rosser's  letter  was  forwarded  with  the  following  indorsement  by 
General  Stuart : 

"  Major  Mosby's  command  is  the  only  efficient  band  of  rangers  I  know  of, 


BR1G.-GEN.  THOMAS  L.  ROSSER,  C.  S.  A. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS.  2  I 

The  sabre  was  no  mvorite  with  Mosby's  men — they  looked 
upon  it  as  an  obsolete  weapon — and  very  few  carried  car 
bines.  In  the  stillness  of  the  night  the  clanking  of  the 
sabres  and  the  rattle  of  the  carbines  striking  against  the 
saddles  could  be  heard  for  a  great  distance,  and  would  often 
betray  us  when  moving  cautiously  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Federal  camps.  We  sometimes  passed  between  camps  but 
a  few  hundred  yards  apart.  We  would  then  leave  the  hard 
roads  where  the  noise  of  the  horses'  hoofs  would  attract  at 
tention  and,  marching  through  the  grassy  fields,  take  down 
bars  or  fences  and  pass  quietly  through.  The  carbine  was 
for  long  range  shooting.  With  us  the  fighting  was  mostly 
at  close  quarters  and  the  revolver  was  then  used  with  deadly 
effect 

I  well  remember  on  one  occasion,  when  falling  back  before 
the  Federal  advance  on  the  Little  River  Turnpike,  alter 
nately  halting  and  retreating,  the  monotony  varied  only  by 
an  occasional  long  range  shot,  brave,  bluff  Lieut.  Harry 
Hatcher  impatiently  exclaimed  to  a  superior  officer  :  "  If  you 
are  going  to  fight,  fight;  and  if  you  are  going  to  run,  run; 
but  quit  this  d- n  nonsense." 

Regarding  the  custom  of  our  Northern  brethren,  when 
speaking  of  "  Mosby's  Men,"  to  use  the  terms  u  guerrillas," 

and  he  usually  operates  with  only  one-fourth  of  his  nominal  strength.  Such 
organizations,  as  a  rule,  are  detrimental  to  the  best  interests  of  the  army  at 
large." 

On  the  2ist  of  January,  1864,  General  Lee  writes  Hon.  James  A.  Seddon, 
Secretary  of  War,  recommending  Mosby's  promotion  to  be  lieutenant-colonel, 
and  adds  : 

"  I  do  this  in  order  to  show  him  that  his  services  have  been  appreciated,  and 
to  encourage  him  to  still  greater  activity  and  zeal." 

General  Lee,  in  a  letter  to  General  Cooper,  April  i,  1864,  after  enumerating 
the  organizations  of  Partisan  Rangers,  says  : 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mosby  has  done  excellent  service,  and  from  the  reports 
of  citizens  and  others  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  he  is  strict  in  discipline 
and  a  protection  to  the  country  in  which  he  operates.  .  .  .  With 
the  single  exception  mentioned  [Mosby],  I  hope  the  order  will  be  issued  at 
once  disbanding  the  companies  and  battalions  [partisan  rangers]  serving  in 
this  department." 

Secretary  of  War  Seddon's  indorsement  on  these  papers  reads  : 

"  Mosby's  and  McNeill's  commands  I  prefer  to  have  retained  as  partisan 
rangers.  In  respect  to  the  others  Major  Melton's  suggestions  are  approved." 


22 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


"bushwhackers,"5  "freebooters,''  and  the  like,  I  will  only 
say  that  Mosby's  command  was  regularly  organized  and 
mustered  into  the  Confederate  service  on  the  same  footing 
with  other  troops,  except  that  being  organized  under  the 
•  . :  ..  "•••,  ;\_  ..'  Partizan  Ranger  Law,  an 

act  passed  by  the  Confeder 
ate  Congress,  they  were  al 
lowed  the  benefit  of  the  law 
applying  to  Maritime  prizes. 
All  cattle  and  mules  were 
turned  over  to  the  Confeder 
ate  Government,  but  horses 
captured  were  distributed 
among  the  men  making  the 
capture.  When  it  is  borne 
in  mind  that  the  men  had  to 
arm,  equip  and  support  them 
selves,  this  did  not  leave  a 
very  heavy  surplus,  as  we  re 
ceived  but  little  aid  from  the 
government.  The  "  Green 
back  Raid"  was  the  only 
one  that  brought  in  any  great 


"  TOBE  "    FARR,  Co.  B. 
From  photograph  taken  soon  after  the  War. 


5  In  the  Official  Records  of  the  War,  published  by  order  of  Congress,  Vol. 
XLIII,  Part  I,  page  929,  will  be  found  this  order  from  John  S.  Schultze,  Major 
and  Assistant  Adjutant-General  to  Capt.  Samuel  Walker,  dated  Chambersburg, 
Pa.,  August  26,  1864: 

"The  commanding  general  requests  that  you  get  your  company  together, 
and  with  axes  and  rifles  proceed  to  defend  the  roads  through  the  gap  between 
Fannettsburg  and  Burnt  Cabins.  .  .  .  Have  the  roads  above  mentioned 
made  inaccessible  by  felling  trees  and  other  obstructions,  and  thus  defend  the 
same  by  bushwacking,  etc. 

Also,  the  following  : 
"  CIRCULAR.]         .       HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  SUSQUEHANNA, 

"Pittsburg,  Pa.,  August 4,  1864. 
' '  To  the  People  of  the  Southern  Tier  of  Counties  of  Pennsylvania  : 

"Your  situation  is  such  that  a  raid  by  the  enemy  is  not  impossible  at  any 
time  during  the  summer  and  coming  fall.  I  therefore  call  upon  you  to  put 
your  rifles  and  shotguns  in  good  order,  also  supplying  yourselves  with  plenty 
of  ammunition.  Your  corn-fields,  mountains,  forests,  thickets,  buildings,  &c., 
furnish  favorable  places  for  cover,  and  at  the  same  time  enable  you  to  kill  the 
marauders,  recollecting  if  they  come  it  is  to  plunder,  destroy  and  burn  your 
property.  "  D.  N.  COUCH, 

"  Major-General  Commanding  Department" 

Was  bushwhacking  legitimate  warfare  in  Pennsylvania  and  not  in  Virginia? 
or  is  it  a  case  .where  the  old  darkey's  logic  applies  :  "It  makes  a  big  diffrens' 
whose  hogs  are  in  de  co'nfield  and  whose  co'n  dey  are  eatin'  ?" 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  23 

return,  and  there  were  only  about  eighty  men  who  reaped 
the  benefit  of  it,  as  the  proceeds  of  a  capture  went  directly 
to  the  men  making  it.  The  acquisition  of  arms  and  accou 
trements,  or  even  horses,  did  not  make  the  men  wealthy. 
Wagons  and  supplies  were  destroyed,  though  of  course  the 
men  were  allowed  to  appropriate  anything  they  chose  be 
fore  destroying  the  captured  stores. 

Mosby  was  acting  under  direct  orders  of  General  Stuart 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  and  then  under  General  Lee,  and 
was  independent  only  in  the  sense  that  both  Lee  and  Stuart 
had  such  confidence  in  him  that  they  permitted  him  to  act 
on  his  own  discretion.  In  fact  it  would  have  been  folly  to 
hamper  him  with  orders  or  place  him  under  restrictions 
when  he  was  so  far  separated  from  the  main  army,  and  at 
times  so  situated  that  he  could  with  difficulty  communicate 
with  his  superiors. 

It  has  been  charged  that  "  Mosby's  Men  ''  went  in  the  dis 
guise  of  Federal  soldiers.  Such  was  not  the  case.  They 
never  masqueraded  in  the  uniforms  of  Federals,  except  that 
through  force  of  circumstances  men  at  times  wore  blue 
overcoats  captured  by  them  from  Federal  cavalry.  This  was 
done  because  they  could  get  no  others.  The  Confederate 
government  did  not,  or  could  not  at  all  times  provide  proper 
clothing,  and  our  soldiers  were  compelled  to  wear  these  to 
protect  themselves  from  the  cold.  Rubber  blankets  were 
common  to  both  armies  and  when  one  was  worn  it  com 
pletely  hid  the  uniform. 

The  "  Jessie  Scouts  "  of  the  Federal  army,  however,  will 
be  well  remembered  by  the  soldiers  of  both  armies.  They 
dressed  in  the  regular  Confederate  uniform,  which  they 
wore  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  our  men.6 

6  Colonel  Lazelle,  of  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  replying  to  a  request 
from  Sheridan  concerning  information  sent  headquarters,  says  it  "was  ob 
tained  from  Elkton  from  several  citizens  who  talked  freely  to  our  men,  under 
the  impression  that  they  were  rebels,  as  they  were  disguised'* 

And  Lieutenant  Shuttleworth  in  his  report  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thompson, 
commanding  the  Sixth  West  Virginia  Cavalry,  says  :  "  I  adopted  the  following 
order  of  march  :  First,  F.  A.  Warthen,  Company  D,  of  your  regiment,  dressed 
in  full  Confederate  uniform,  as  scout,  followed  by  an  advance  of  eight  men 
familiar  with  the  country."  [See  Appendix,  XXVI.] 


24  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Dr.  Monteiro,  in  his  very  entertaining  volume  of  reminis 
cences  of  Mosby's  command,7  says  : 

"  Every  man  knew  that  the  slightest  suspicion  of  dis 
honesty  or  cowardice  would  consign  him  at  once  to  the 
disgrace  of  expulsion  ;  and  although  there  must  have  been 
the  usual  modicum  of  human  meanness  always  found  in  a 
given  number  of  human  beings,  I  am  enabled  to  say  after 
three  years  of  active  field  service  in  the  regular  army  that 
I  have  never  witnessed  amongst  eight  hundred  men  and 
officers  more  true  courage  and  chivalry,  or  a  higher  sense 
of  honor  blended  with  less  vice,  selfishness  and  meanness 
than  I  found  during  my  official  intercourse  with  the  Partisan 
Battalion." 

To  this  I  will  add  a  tribute,  which  will  certainly  be  re 
garded  as  unprejudiced.  In  the  Life  of  Gen.  Sheridan8,  on 
page  314,  in  speaking  of  old  rosters,  the  author  says: 

"  But  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  Confederate  cav 
alrymen  is  never  named  in  these  rosters.  Yet  he  held, 
having  won  it  fairly,  the  comission  of  Colonel.  John  S. 
Mosby,  the  partisan  leader  of  Northern  Virginia,  deserves 
a  place  in  any  reference  to  the  doings  and  deeds  of  the  Con 
federate  troopers.  He  deserves  it  because  he  is  a  man  of  char 
acter  enough  to  win  the  respect  of  his  foe,  and  since  the  war 
closed  to  have  induced  General  Grant  to  write  of  him  as 
follows,  after  having  appointed  him  Consul  to  Hong  Kong  :9 
'  Since  the  close  of  the  war  I  have  come  to  know  Mosby 
personally  and  somewhat  intimately.  He  is  a  different  man 
entirely  Irom  what  I  supposed.  He  is  slender,  not  tall, 
wiry,  and  looks  as  if  he  could  endure  any  amount  of  physi 
cal  exercise.  He  is  able  and  thoroughly  honest  and  truth 
ful.  There  were  probably  but  few  men  in  the  South  who 

7  War  Reminiscences  by  the  Surgeon  of  Mosby's  Command.  A.  Monteiro, 
M.  D.,  Richmond,  1890. 

8The  Life  of  Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan.  Its  Romance  and  Reality.  By 
Frank  A.  Burr,  of  the  Second  Michigan  Cavalry  and  Richard  J.  Hinton,  of  the 
U.  S.  Colored  Troops.  J.  A.  &  R.  A.  Reid,  publishers.  Providence,  R.  I.,  1888. 

9Referring  to  the  disputed  point  of  who  signed  his  commission  as  consul 
to  Hong  Kong,  Colonel  Mosby  said  to  the  Washington  Correspondent  of  the 
Brooklyn  Eagle:  "It  is  not  worth  while  for  me  to  deny  that  General  Grant 
ever  appointed  me  to  office,  because  if  I  were  to  state  such  a  thing  there  would 
be  any  number  of  people  who  would  be  willing  to  swear  that  he  did  send  me 
to  Hong  Kong.  But  the  fact  of  the  matter  is  I  never  received  any  commission 
for  office  from  General  Grant.  He  offered  it  to  me  as  soon  as  the  election  was 
over,  but  I  declined,  as  I  then  had  a  large  law  practice  in  Virginia  and  did 
not  want  any  public  office.  President  Hayes  again  offered  me  the  position 
and  I  then  decided  to  accept  it." 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  25 

could  have  commanded  successfully  a  separate  detachment 
in  the  rear  of  an  opposing  army,  and  so  near  the  borders  of 
hostilities  as  long  as  he  did  without  losing  his  entire  com 
mand.'  (Grant's  Memoirs,  Vol.  II,  p.  142.) 

"Perhaps  nothing  will  illustrate  Mosby's  intelligence  as  a 
soldier  and  the  amount  he  accomplished  better  than  his  own 
statement  of  the  theory  upon  which  he  acted  as  a  partisan 
leader,  and  the  recognition  of  his  services  in  that  capacity 
which  he  received  from  his  superiors.  Of  the  first,  Colonel 
Mosby  says  that  he  was  never  a  spy10,  and  that  his  warfare 
was  always  such  as  the  laws  of  war  allow.  He  epitomizes 
his  theory  of  action  as  follows  :  '  As  a  line  is  only  as  strong 
as  its  weakest  point,  it  was  necessary  for  it  to  be  stronger 
than  I  was  at  every  point  in  order  to  resist  my  attacks.' 

.  .  .  To  destroy  supply  trains,  to  break  up  the  means 
of  conveying  intelligence  and  thus  isolating  an  army  from 
its  base,  as  well  as  its  different  corps  from  each  other,  to 
confuse  plans  by  capturing  dispatches,  are  the  objects  of 
partisan  warfare.  .  .  .  The  military  value  of  a  partisan  s 
work  is  not  measured  by  the  amount  of  property  destroyed, 
or  the  number  of  men  killed  or  captured,  but  by  the  num 
ber  he  keeps  watching.  Every  soldier  withdrawn  from  the 
front  to  guard  the  rear  of  an  army  is  so  much  taken  from  its 
fighting  strength." 

After  Mosby  had  attracted  attention  by  his  daring  achieve 
ments,  men  came  from  all  parts  of  the  country  to  join  him. 
Officers  resigned  positions  in  the  regular  army  and  came  to 
Mosby  to  serve  as  privates  ;  even  the  famed  armies  of  the 
the  Old  World  were  not  without  representatives  in  his 
ranks.  Although  a  dangerous  service,  there  was  a  fascina 
tion  in  the  life  of  a  Ranger  ;  the  changing  scenes,  the  wild 
adventure,  and  even  the  dangers  themselves  exerted  a  seduc 
tive  influence  which  attracted  many  to  the  side  of  the  dash 
ing  partisan  chief. 

An  Austrian  General  speaking  of  Napoleon  I.,  said  indig 
nantly  : 

"  This  beardless  youth  ought  to  have  been  beaten  over  and 
over  again  ;  for  who  ever  saw  such  tactics  ?  The  blockhead 
knows  nothing  of  the  rules  of  war.  To-day  he  is  in  our  rear, 
to-morrow  in  our  flank  and  the  next  day  in  our  front.  Such 

10 The  words  "scout"  and  "spy"  are  incorrectly  used  by  some  writers  as 
synonymous  terms. 


26  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

gross  violations  of  the  established  principles  of  war  are  in 
sufferable." 

But  Napoleon  was  generally  successful.  Mosby,  disre 
garding  established  rules,  fought  upon  a  principle  which  his 
enemies  could  neither  discover  nor  guard  against.  He  was 
in  their  front,  in  their  rear,  on  their  flank — at  one  place  to 
day,  and  to-morrow  in  their  camps  at  a  point  far  distant. 
By  his  enemies  he  was  thought  to  be  almost  ubiquitous. 
What  he  lacked  in  numbers  he  compensated  for  by  the 
celerity  of  his  movements  and  the  boldness  of  his  attacks. 
He  generally  fought  against  odds — often  great  odds ;  seldom 
waited  to  receive  a  charge,  but  nearly  always  sought  to 
make  the  attack. 

A  Federal  officer  whom  we  captured  when  Meade's  army 
followed  Lee  into  Virginia  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
said :  "  Yesterday  I  heard  our  cavalry  were  chasing  you  in 
our  front,  and  who  would  expect  to  find  you  this  morning 
in  the  very  midst  ol  our  army  ?" 


BOOTS  AND   SADDLES. 


CHAPTER  II. 

March,  1863— Raid  on  Fairfax  Court-House  -  Captain  Walter  E.  Frankland's  Reminiscences  of  his 
early  days  with  Mosby  and  Account  of  his  Trip  to  the  Camp  of  the  Fifth  New  York 
Cavalry  with  Sergeant  Ames  ("  Big  Yankee")— Colonel  Mosby 's  Graphic  Description  of  the 
Raid  and  Capture  of  General  Stoughton—  Report  of  the  Federal  Provost  Marshal  at  Fair 
fax  Court-House— General  Stuart's  Complimentary  Order— Mosby  Promoted  to  the  rank 
of  Major. 

Mosby 's  growing  fame  was  greatly  increased  by  the 
capture  of  Brigadier-General  Stoughton,  at  Fairfax  Court- 
House,  on  the  night  of  March  8,  1863.  This  bold  enterprise 
was  effected  by  Mosby,  who  penetrated  the  Federal  lines 
with  29  men  and  succeeded  in  bringing  off  his  captures 
without  loss  or  injury. 

The  raid  on  Fairfax  Court-House  and  capture  of  General 
Stoughton  was  accomplished  a  short  time  previous  to  my 
joining  Mosby,  but  being  one  of  the  most  important  events 
in  the  history  of  our  command,  I  make  it  a  prominent 
feature. 

Capt.  Walter  E.  Frankland  has  given  me  the  following 
very  interesting  narrative,  embracing  reminiscences  of  his 
first  days  with  Mosby,  the  desertion  of  Sergeant  Ames  ("  Big 
Yankee")  and  the  particulars  of  his  visit  to  the  camp  of  the 
Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  in  company  with  Ames,  which 
occurred  just  one  week  prior  to  and  suggested  the  capture 
of  General  Stoughton  : 

Captain  Walter  E.  Frankland'' s  Narrative. 

Having  served  as  private  in  the  "  Warrenton  Rifles,"  Co. 
K,  Seventeenth  Virginia  Infantry,  from  Sunday,  April  2ist, 
1 86 1,  until  late  in  1862,  when  I  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Richmond,  where  I  had  been  on  detached  duty  in  the  Pro 
vost  Marshal's  Office  several  months,  I  started  with  a  friend, 
George  Whitescarver,  to  join  Col.  E.  V.  White's  Cavalry, 
then  in  Loudoun.  After  spending  several  weeks  among  his 
relatives  in  Upper  Fauquier,  Whitescarver  and  I,  about 
February  10,  1863,  were  joined  at  Salem  (now  Marshall)  by 
Joseph  H.  Nelson,  and  at  sundown  that  evening  we  three 
drew  up  at  the  hospitable  home  of  James  H.  Hathaway.  A 

27 


28  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

little  later  in  the  evening-  a  lone  horseman,  Frank  Williams, 
rode  up,  and  was  also  welcomed  to  its  cordial  entertainment. 
I  little  dreamed  that  the  life-ties  born  at  that  supper  table, 
where  most  of  us  first  met,  were  destined  to  bind  us  through 
scenes  of  blood  and  years  of  strife  and  peace. 

We  four — Nelson  and  Williams  mounted,  Whitescarver 
and  myself  afoot — resolved  to  go  together  to  Loudoun  and 
fulfill  my  original  purpose,  when,  for  the  first  time,  we  were 
told  by  Mr.  Hathaway  of  a  private  scout  named  Mosby,  who 
had  made  several  successful  attacks  on  the  Federal  pickets 
with  a  detail  of  fifteen  men  of  Stuart's  Cavalry ;  and  they 
were  to  meet  the  next  day  at  Rector's  X  Roads  to  make 
another  raid.  At  Mr.  Hathaway's  earnest  suggestion  we 
concluded  to  see  Mosby  the  next  day  before  joining  White's 
command. 

We  set  out  after  an  early  breakfast  and  reached  the  ren 
dezvous  in  time  to  see  Mosby,  who  was  then  but  a  private 
in  rank  with  a  dozen  men  (part  of  his  detail  having  been 
captured),  but  who  was  destined  to  prove  the  most  remarka 
ble,  indomitable  and  successful  warrior  in  that  line  devel 
oped  by  the  great  Civil  War,  or  known  in  American  history. 
I  was  made  spokesman,  and  soon  we  arranged  to  join  him  as 
his  "own  men,"  being  his  "first  four." 

Frank  Williams  and  Joseph  Nelson,  having  horses  of  their 
own,  accompanied  Mosby  on  that  raid,  and  as  Mosby  was  to 
mount  Whitescarver  and  myself  from  his  captures,  we 
secured  quarters  at  the  very  retired  little  cottage  of  a  poor 
widow  named  Rutter.  There  we  awaited  Mosby 's  return, 
but  to  be  disappointed  by  his  failure  to  bring  us  horses,  so 
Whitescarver  borrowed  one  and  went  on  the  next — the  Ox 
Road — raid,  leaving-  me  on  February  25th. 

Just  before  they  rode  off,  a  Yankee  deserter,  Sergeant 
James  F.  Ames,  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  (afterwards 
known  as  "  Big  Yankee"),  came  walking  up  and  wanted  to 
join  Mosby.  No  one  gave  any  credence  to  his  story,  but  I 
took  him  with  me  to  the  old  widow's  house,  where  we  slept 
and  ate  together  several  days  and  nights.  He  impressed  me 
as  a  true  man,  assuring  me  he  had  deserted  on  account  of 
the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  which,  he  said,  showed  that 
"  the  war  had  become  a  war  for  the  Negro  instead  of  a  war 
for  the  Union." 

Mosby 's  raid  proved  futile  as  to  mounting  me,  for  the 
captures  were  divided  among  the  participants.  Ames  had 
so  far  gained  my  confidence  that  I  had  arranged  with  him, 
and  we  had  prepared  our  arms  to  make  a  trip  to  his  late 
camp  at  Germantown  to  supply  ourselves  with  horses. 


LIEUT.  FRANKLIN  WILLIAMS      LIEUT.  GEO.  H.  WHITESCARVER 

CO.  B.  CO.  A. 

From  a  photograph   taken   two   days 
after  the  fall  of  Richmond. 


From  an  old  photograph. 


LIEUT.  JOSEPH  H.  NELSON          CAPT.  WALTER  E.  FRANKLAND 

CO.  A.  CO.  F. 

From  a  photograph.  From  a  photograph  taken  in  Winches 

ter,  Va.,  in  April,  1865. 


MOSBY'S  "FIRST  FOUR." 


30  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

The  day  after  Mosby's  return  we  two  started  from  the  old 
widow's  house,  near  Rector's  X  Roads,  February  28th, 
1863,  for  a  thirty  miles  walk  to  the  camp  of  the  Fifth  New 
York  Cavalry,  at  Germanton,  about  two  miles  from  Fair 
fax  Court  House.  Before  we  reached  Middleburg  a  heavy 
rain  was  falling  and  when  we  turned  into  the  Old  Braddock 
road  below  Aldie,  which  we  took  for  privacy,  the  mud  was 
deep  and  slippery,  like  putty.  We  pushed  on,  making  slow 
progress,  our  boots  heavy  with  mud  and  clothing  saturated, 
and  when  Saturday  night  came  only  half  our  journey  was 
accomplished,  the  darkness  intense  and  the  rain  pouring 
down.  We  begged  quarters  for  the  night  on  the  roadside 
several  miles  from  Cub  Run,  and  from  there  resumed  our 
trip  after  an  early  hot  breakfast,  before  day  on  Sunday 
morning,  March  ist. 

Leaving  the  Old  Braddock  road  we  crossed  the  field  and 
entered  the  woods  in  which  we  soon  came  to  Cub  Run  on  a 
boom.  Every  crossing  log  was  gone,  so  we  improvised  a 
raft  of  fence  rails,  which  the  whirling  torrent  drove  to  pieces 
just  as  it  struck  the  other  bank.  But  it  had  served  our 
purpose  and  we  were  safe  and  at  liberty  to  pursue  our 
mission.  We  then  took  our  way  leisurely,  as  we  had  all 
day  in  which  to  make  twelve  or  fifteen  miles,  as  we  wanted 
twilight  to  cover  our  near  approach  to  the  camp  and  caution 
was  necessary  lest  the  Federal  scouts  or  trespassing  parties 
might  detect  us  and  defeat  our  purpose. 

We  learned  from  citizens  that  a  raid  to  capture  Mosby  was 
about  to  be  made,  and  by  7  p.  m.  when  we  reached  the 
little  pine  cliff  at  the  rear  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Camp  at  Ger- 
mantown,  we  found  the  regiment  all  astir  with  preparation. 
It  was  Sunday  night,  March  ist,  and  \ve  watched  their 
movements  from  our  admirable  position.  When  "  taps  " 
sounded  all  quieted  down.  The  clouds  were  gone,  the  moon 
shone  brightly  and  we  could  see  the  sentinel  pacing  to  and 
fro,  guarding  the  officers'  horses,  our  object,  but  the  camp 
was  restless  and  every  now  and  then  others,  besides  the 
"  guard,"  could  be  seen  moving  about,  so  we  waited  for  the 
"  dead  hour "  to  come.  At  midnight  the  bugle  sounded, 
and  the  horses  were  "  saddled  up,"  including  the  two  we 
had  come  after. 

About  two  hundred  men  from  the  Fifth  New  York  and 
Eighteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  formed  on  the  Little  River 
turnpike  and  marched  off,  commanded  by  Major  Joseph 
Gilmer  of  the  latter  regiment.  We  waited  until  the  sounds 
of  the  cavalry  horses  died  away  and  then  deliberately 
walked  to  the  middle  of  the  camp  and  talked  freely  to  the 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  31 

"  guard,"  who  never  suspected  us,  even  when  we  walked 
into  two  of  the  stalls  he  was  guarding,  bridled  two  of  the 
horses,  mounted  them  in  his  presence,  and  rode  away  in  a 
walk. 

We  hoped  to  reached  Mosby  before  the  raiding  party,  but 
stiff  mud  roads  were  too  much  for  us,  and  before  we  suc 
ceeded  in  rejoining  him,  Mosby  with  a  few  men  had  sur 
prised  the  First  Vermont  in  Aldie  (after  they,  the  Ver- 
monters,  had  scared  Major  Gilmer  and  his  two  hundred  men 
into  a  most  disgraceful  retreat  of  ten  miles)  capturing  Cap 
tain  Huntoon,  19  men  and  23  horses.1 

1  Mosby 's  Report  to  Stuart. 

Near  Upperville,  March  3,  1863. 

GENERAL  :  Yesterday  a  Yankee  cavalry  force  of  about  400  men  came  up  to 
Middleburg.  As  soon  as  I  heard  of  it  I  hastily  collected  together  170!  my 
men  and  started  in  pursuit,  having  in  the  meantime  ascertained  that  they  had 
gone  back.  At  Aidie  I  overtook  their  rear  squadron  of  59  men,  which  I 
charged  and  routed,  capturing  2  captains  and  17  men,  together  with  their  arms  ; 
also,  23  horses  and  accoutrements.  Two  of  my  men  were  slightly  wounded. 
I  have  sent  all  the  prisoners  but  2  on  to  Culpeper  C.  H.  A  wounded  captain 
was  paroled. 

Lieut. -Col.  Robt.  Johnstone,  Commanding  Cavalry  Brigade,    to  C.  //.    Potter,  A. 
A.  G.  (Federal Report.} 

Fairfax  C.  H. ,  March  2,  1863. 

SIR  :  Fifty  men  of  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry,  from  Companies  H  and  M, 
under  Captains  Huntoon  and  Woodward,  were  surprised  in  Aldie  while  feeding 
their  horses  by  about  70  of  the  enemy.  Both  captains  captured  and  about  15 
men.  They  saw  no  enemy  but  the  attacking  party. 

Major  Gilmer  has  returned  with  the  scouting  party  that  left  last  night 
They,  were  to  Middleburg  and  saw  but  one  rebel.  I  have  anticipated  the  report 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Krepps,  now  in  command,  which  will  be  forwarded  in 
probably  one  hour. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 

Fairfax  C.  H.,  March  3,  1863. 

SIR  :  By  order  of  Col.  R.  B.  Price  I  directed  on  the  night  of  the  ist  inst. 
a  reconnoissance  to  go  in  the  direction  of  Aldie.  The  officer  who  commanded 
this  reconnoissance  was  Major  Joseph  Gilmer,  of  the  Eighteenth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry.  He  had  200  men.  The  orders  to  him  were  to  proceed  carefully  and 
send  back  couriers  through  the  night  with  information  whether  they  saw  any 
enemy  or  not.  This  last  order  was  disobeyed.  They  were  not  to  cross  Cub 
Run  until  daylight,  and  then  try  and  gain  all  information  possible  by  flankers 
and  small  detached  scouting  parties. 

Major  Gilmer  went  to  Middleburg,  and  while  returning  the  vedettes  of  the 
First  Vermont  Cavalry  noticed  a  part  of  his  advance  and  prepared  to  skirmish. 
The  advance  fell  back  toward  Aldie.  Major  Gilmer,  instead  of  throwing  out  a 
party  to  reconnoitre,  turned  off  with  nearly  the  whole  of  his  command  in  the 


32  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Thus,  after  vainly  waiting  about  two  weeks  for  Mosby  to 
mount  me — the  captured  horses  each  time  being  only  suffi 
cient  for  the  men  who  were  on  the  raids — I  had,  accom 
panied  and  guided  by  Ames,  penetrated  the  Federal  lines  to 
the  camp  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  at  Germantown, 
within  two  miles  of  Fairfax  Court  House,  walking  thirty 
miles  to  accomplish  it,  in  order  to  mount  myself.  The  suc 
cess  of  this  enterprise  demonstrated  the  feasibility  of  pass 
ing  in  between  their  camps,  evading  their  pickets  and  far 
within  their  lines  quietly  executing  a  purpose  without  caus 
ing  an  alarm. 

Mosby 's  quick  perception  turned  this  to  good  account  by 
arranging  at  once  to  strike  deep  for  some  great  achievement, 
and  just  one  week  after  my  success  of  Sunday,  March  ist, 
Mosby,  with  twenty-nine  of  us,  on  Sunday,  March  8th,  under 
took  and  successfully  executed  an  enterprise  which  made 
him  and  his  command  renowned,  and  brought  to  his  stand 
ard  hundreds  of  brave  spirits  who  possessed  the  very  metal 
he  needed  to  build  with,  and  who  were  in  every  way  worthy 
of  their  illustrious  leader.  It  was  the  capture  of  General 
Stoughton. 

direction  of  Groveton  to  gain  Centreville.  The  horses  returned  exhausted 
from  being  run  at  full  speed  for  miles.  A  few  of  Major  Gilmer's  men  left  his 
command  and  went  along  the  Little  River  turnpike  toward  the  Vermont  de 
tachment.  They  reported  that  the  men  seen  were  a  part  of  a  scouting  party 
under  Major  Gilmer,  and  that  no  enemy  were  in  Aldie.  Captain  Huntoon 
then  entered  the  town  and  halted  to  have  the  horses  fed  near  a  mill.  Imme 
diately  beyond  was  a  rising  ground  which  hid  the  guerrillas.  While  the 
horses  were  unbridled  and  feeding  the  surprise  occurred.  As  both  the  officers 
have  been  captured,  and  as  the  detachment  was  not  under  my  command,  and 
is  not  attached  to  this  brigade,  I  have  no  means  of  receiving  any  official  or  ex 
act  report  from  them,  nor  is  there  any  one  belonging  to  that  detachment  here. 
All  men  belonging  to  this  detachment  seem  to  have  fought  well  ;  the  enemy 
did  not  pursue  them  ;  they  fell  back  in  good  order. 

Major  Gilmer,  when  he    returned,  was  unable  to  make  a   report  to   Lieut. 
Col.  [John  S.]  Krepps,  who,  during  the  time  I  was  confined  from  sickness,  had 
charge  of  the  camp. 

I  ordered  Major  Gilmer  under  arrest  early  this  morning,  and  have  sent  to 
Col.  R.  B.  Price  charges  of  which  the  annexed  is  a  copy. 

Major  Gilmer  lost  but  one  man  belonging  to  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry, 
who  was  mortally  wounded  by  the  enemy  and  afterwards  robbed.  He  was 
away  from  the  command  and  on  this  side  of  Aldie,  his  horse  having  given  out. 
The  enemy  seem  to  have  been  concealed  along  the  line  of  march  and  murdered 
this  man  when  returning,  without  provocation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  JOHNSTONE,  Lieut. -Col.  Commanding  Cavalry  Brigade. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  33 

The  best  account  of  the  raid  and  capture  of  General 
Stoughton  obtainable  is  the  following  article,  from  the  able 
pen  of  Mosby  himself,  as  published  in  the  Belford  Magazine 
in  1892  : 

One  of  My   War  Adventures. 

About  February  ist,  1863,  I  began  operating  on  the  out 
posts  of  the  troops  belonging  to  the  defense  of  Washington 
that  were  stationed  in  Fairfax  and  Loudon  counties,  Vir 
ginia.  I  had  with  me  a  detachment  of  fifteen  men  from  the 
First  Virginia  Cavalry,  which  Stuart  had  allowed  to  go 
with  me  while  his  cavalry  corps  was  in  winter  quarters.  As 
I  had  camped  several  months  in  Fairfax  the  year  before,  and 
done  picket  duty  along  the  Potomac,  I  had  acquired  con 
siderable  local  knowledge  of  the  country.  By  questioning 
the  prisoners  I  took,  separately  and  apart  from  each  other, 
I  had  learned  the  location  of  the  camps  and  the  headquar 
ters  of  the  principal  officers.  I  had  been  meditating  a  raid 
on  Fairfax  Court  House,  where  I  knew  there  were  many 
rich  prizes,  when  fortunately  Ames,  a  deserter  from  the 
Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  came  to  my  command  and  sup 
plied  all  the  missing  links  in  the  chain  of  evidence.  When 
ever  we  made  any  captures  the  prisoners  were  sent  under 
guard  to  Culpeper  Court  House,  where  Fitz  Lee  was  sta 
tioned  with  a  brigade  of  cavalry.  Stuart  was  then  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fredericksburg.  I  have  heretofore  related  the 
affair  with  Major  Gilmer  and  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry, 
which  occurred  on  March  2d.  As  it  was  necessary  to  make 
a  detail  from  the  men  serving  with  me  to  guard  the  prison 
ers  that  were  sent  to  Culpeper,  I  had  to  wait  several  days 
for  them  to  return  before  undertaking  another  enterprise. 
Gilmer's  expedition  into  our  territory  had  been  so  disas 
trous  that  the  Union  cavalry  seemed  to  be  content  to  stay  in 
camp  and  let  us  alone.  On  the  afternoon  of  March  8th,  the, 
anniversary  of  the  day  that  my  regiment  (First  Virginia 
Cavalry)  had  the  year  before  crossed  Bull  Run  as  the  rear 
guard  covering  the  retirement  of  Johnson's  army  to  Rich 
mond,  twenty-nine  men  met  me  at  Aldie,  in  Loudon  county, 
the  appointed  rendezvous.  My  recollection  of  events  is  re 
freshed  by  my  report  to  Stuart,  written  three  days  after 
wards,  which  is  printed  in  the  official  records  by  the  Gov 
ernment.  I  did  not  communicate  my  purpose  of  making  a 
raid  on  the  headquarters  of  the  commanding  general" at 
Fairfax  Court  House  to  any  of  the  men  except  Ames,  and 
not  to  him  until  we  started. 


34 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


The  men  thought  we  were  simply  going-  down  to  make 
an  attack  on  a  picket  post.  It  was  late  in  the  afternoon 
when  we  left  Aldie.  There  was  a  melting  snow  on  the 
ground  with  a  drizzling  rain.  All  this  favored  my  plan. 
The  darkness  concealed  us,  and  the  horses  treading' on  the 
soft  snow  made  very  little  noise.  We  started  down  the 
Little  River  turnpike  which  runs  by  Fairfax  Court  House 
to  Alexandria.  From  Fairfax  Court  House  another  turn 
pike  runs  easterly  by  Centreville,  seven  miles  distant  to 
Warrenton.  At  Centreville  there  was  a  brigade  of  infantry 
with  artillery  and  cavalry.  This  was  the  extreme  out  post. 
From  Centreville  there  was  a  chain  of  outposts  extending  in 
one  direction,  by  Fryingpan,  to  the  Potomac;  and  to 
Union  Mills  and  Fairfax  Station  in  the  other.  Near  the 
junction  of  the  two  turnpikes,  a  mile  east  of  Fairfax  Court 
House,  there  was  a  brigade  of  cavalry  in  camp ;  the  rail 
road  from  Union  Mills  to  Alexandria  was  strongly  guarded. 


MAP  OF  THE  VICINITY    OF   FAIRFAX  COURT   HOUSE. 
Taken  from  an  old  War  Map. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  35 

At  Chantilly,  on  the  Little  River  pike,  there  was  also  a 
strong"  cavalry  out-post.  The  two  turnpikes  that  connected 
near  Fairfax  Court  House  and  the  picket  line  from  Centre- 
ville  to  Fryingpan  thus  formed  a  triangle.  I  found  out 
where  there  was  a  gap  in  the  picket  line  between  the  two 
turnpikes  and  determined  to  penetrate  it.  I  knew  that  if 
we  succeeded  in  passing  the  outer  line  without  alarming  the 
pickets  we  might  reach  the  generals'  headquarters  at  the 
court  house  in  comparative  safety,  as  we  would  be  mistaken 
for  their  own  troops  even  if  the  enemy  discovered  us.  The 
headquarters  were  so  thoroughly  girdled  with  troops  that 
no  one  dreamed  of  the  possibility  of  an  enemy  approaching 
them.  In  justice  to  Stoughton,  the  commanding  general,  I 
must  say  that  he  had  called  the  attention  of  the  out-post 
commander  to  the  weak  point  in  his  picket  line.  But  no 
attention  was  paid  to  it.  He  did  not  conceive  that  any  one 
had  the  audacity  to  pass  his  pickets  and  ride  into  his  camps. 
The  commander  of  the  Union  cavalry  at  that  time  was 
Colonel  Percy  Wyndham,  an  English  adventurer,  who,  it 
was  said,  had  served  with  Garibaldi.  He  had  been  greatly 
exasperated  by  my  midnight  forays  on  his  out-posts  and 
mortified  at  his  own  unsuccessful  attempts  at  reprisal.  In 
consequence  he  had  sent  me  many  insulting  messages.  I 
thought  I  would  put  a  stop  to  his  talk  by  gobbling  him  up 
in  bed  and  sending  him  off  to  Richmond.  Ashby  had  capt 
ured  him  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  the  year  before.  When 
we  got  to  within  three  miles  of  Chantilly  we  turned  off  to 
the  right  from  the  turnpike,  and  passed  unobserved  through 
the  picket  line  about  midway  between  that  place  and  Cen- 
treville  and  reached  the  Warrenton  turnpike  about  half 
way  between  Centre ville  and  the  court  house.  I  was  rid 
ing  by  the  side  of  one  of  my  men  named  Hunter,  and  at 
this  point  I  told  him  where  we  were  going.  He  realized, 
as  I  did,  the  difficulties  and  dangers  that  surrounded  us.  I 
told  him  our  safety  was  in  the  audacity  of-  the  enterprise. 
We  were  then  four  miles  inside  the  enemy's  line  and  within 
a  mile  or  two  of  the  cavalry  companies.  We  could  no 
doubt  have  marched  straight  into  them,  or  challenge  and 
brought  off  a  lot  of  men  and  horses.  But  I  was  hunting 
that  night  for  bigger  game,  and  knew  that  Wyndham  did 
not  sleep  in  the  cavalry  camp,  but  at  the  court  house  a  mile 
beyond.  I  also  knew  that  General  Stoughton's  headquart 
ers  were  there.  To  a  man  uninitiated  into  the  mysteries  of 
war  our  situation,  environed  on  all  sides  by  hostile  troops, 
would  have  appeared  desperate.  To  me  it  did  not  seem  at 
all  so,  as  my  experience  enabled  me  to  measure  the  danger. 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


Proceeding  a  short  distance  on  the  pike  towards  the  court 
house,  we  turned  off  to  the  right,  flanked  the  corps  directly 
in  front  of  us,  and  came  into  the  town  unmolested  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  It  had  been  my  intention  to  get 
there  about  midnight,  but  our  column  got  broken  in  two  at 
one  time  in  the  darkness  ;  the  rear  portion  remained  stand 
ing  still  for  some  time,  thinking  the  whole  column  had 
halted.  We  had  gone  a  considerable  distance  before  it  was 
discovered.  So  I  had  to  turn  back  in  search  of  the  missing. 
The  rear,  after  standing  still  some  time,  moved  on,  but  could 
not  find  our  trail.  They 
were  on  the  point  of 
going  back  when  by  ac 
cident  we  came  upon 
them  wandering  in  the 
dark  like  Iris  in  search 
of  the  lost  Osiris.  This 
involved  considerable 
delay.  With  the  excep 
tion  of  a  few  drowsy 
sentinels  all  the  troops  in 
the  town  were  asleep. 
Nothing  of  the  kind  had 
ever  been  attempted 
before  during  the  war, 
and  no  preparations  had 
been  made  to  guard 
against  it.  It  is  only 
practicable  to  guard 
against  what  is  probable, 
and  in  war,  as  everything 
else,  a  great  deal  must 
be  left  to  chance.  Once 
inside  the  enemy's  lines 
everything  we  dis 
covered  as  easy  as  falling 

off  a  log.  There  was  not  the  slightest  show  of  resistance. 
As  the  night  was  pitch  dark  it  was  impossible  to  tell  from 
our  appearance  to  Avhich  side  we  belonged,  although  all  of 
us  were  dressed  in  Confederate  gray. 

The  names  of  all  the  cavalry  regiments  stationed  there 
were  familiar  to  us ;  so  whenever  a  sentinel  halted  us 
the  answer  was :  "  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,"  and  it 
was  all  right.  Of  course  we  took  the  sentinel  with 
us.  All  of  my  men  except  Hunter  and  Ames  were  as 
much  surprised  as  the  enemies  were  when  they  found  them- 


SAMUEL  WAGGAMAN,  CO.  A. 

From  a  photograph  taken  in  1888. 


MOSBV  S   RANGERS. 


37 


selves  in  a  town  filled  with  Union  troops  and  stores.  As  I 
had  never  led  them  into  a  place  from  which  I  was  not 
able  to  take  them  out,  there  was  not  a  faint  heart  among 
them.  All  seemed  to  have  a  blind  confidence  in  my  destiny. 
Hunter  was  at  the  time  a  sergeant  in  the  company  to  which 
he  belonged.  I  explained  the  situation  to  him  as  we  were 
riding  along,  as  I  looked  to  him  more  than  to  any  of  the  men 
to  aid  me  in  accomplishing  my  design.  He  showed  great 
coolness  and  courage,  and  fully  merited  the  promotion  he 
soon  afterwards  received.  He  is  now  a  citizen  of  California. 
I  had  only  twenty-nine  men — we  were  surrounded  by  hos 
tile  thousands.  Ames,  who  also  knew  to  what  point  he  was 
piloting  us,  rode  by  my  side.  Without  being  able  to  give 

any  satisfactory  reason 
for  it,  1  felt  an  instinc 
tive  trust  in  his  fidel 
ity,  which  he  never 
betrayed.  When  we 
reached  the  court 
house  square,  which 
was  appointed  as  a 
rendezvous,  the  men 
were  detailed  in 
squads  ;  some  were 
sent  to  the  stables  to 
collect  the  fine  horses 
that  I  knew  were  there, 
others  to  the  different 
headquarters,  where 
the  officers  were  quar 
tered.  We  were  more 
anxious  to  capture 
Wyndham  than  any 
other. 

There  was  a  hospital 
on  the  main  street  in 
a  building  which  had 
been  a  hotel.  In  front 
of  it  a  sentry  was 
walking.  The  first 
thing  I  did  was  to  send 

Ames  and  Frankland  to  relieve  him  from  duty  and  to  pre 
vent  any  of  the  occupants  from  giving  the  alarm.  Ames 
whispered  gently  into  his  ear  to  keep  quiet — that  he  was  a 
prisoner.  A  six-shooter  has  great  persuasive  powers.  I 
went  directly  with  the  larger  portion  of  the  command  to  the 


COL.  PERCY  WYNDHAM,  U.  S.  A. 
From  a  War-time  photograph. 


GEN.  J.  E.  B.  STUART  STATUE,  RICHMOND,  VA. 

(Gen.  Lee  Statue  in  the  distance.) 


GEN.  STOUGHTON'S  HEADQUARTERS  AT  FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE 
(Dr.  Gunnell's  House.) 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  39 

house  of  a  citizen  named  Murray,  which  I  had  been  told  was 
Wyndham's  headquarters.  This  was  not  so.  He  told  us 
that  they  were  at  Judge  Thomas'house,  which  we  had  passed 
in  the  other  end  of  the  town.  So  we  quickly  returned  to 
the  court-house  square.  Ames  was  sent  with  a  party  to 
Wyndham's  headquarters.  Two  of  his  staff  were  found 
there  asleep,  but  the  bird  we  were  trying  to  catch  had 
flown — Wyndham  had  gone  down  to  Washington  that 
evening  by  the  railroad.  My  men  indemnified  themselves  to 
some  extent  for  the  loss  by  appropriating  his  fine  wardrobe 
and  several  splendid  horses  that  they  found  in  the  stables. 

The  irony  of  fortune  made  Ames  the  captor  of  his  own 
captain.  He  was  Captain  Barker,  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry, 
detailed  as  Assistant  Adjutant  General.  Ames  treated  his 
former  commander  with  the  greatest  civility,  and  seemed  to 
feel  his  great  pride  in  introducing  him  to  me.  Joe  Nelson 
saw  a  tent  in  the  courtyard ;  he  went  in  and  took  the  tele 
graph  operator  wrho  was  sleeping  there  We  had  already 
cut  the  wires  before  we  came  into  the  town  to  prevent  com 
munication  with  Centreville.  Joe  had  also  caught  a  soldier 
who  told  him  that  he  was  one  of  the  guard  at  General 
Stoughton's  headquarters.  This  was  the  reason  I  did  not  go 
with  Ames  after  Wyndham.  I  took  five  or  six  men  with  me 
to  go  after  Stoughton.  I  remember  the  names  of  Joe  Nel 
son,  Hunter,  Whitescarver,  Welt  Hatcher  and  Frank  Wil 
liams.  Stoughton  was  occupying  a  brick  house  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  village  belonging  to  Dr.  Gunnell. 

When  we  reached  it  all  dismounted  and  I  gave  a  loud 
knock  on  the  front  door.  A  head  bobbed  out  from  an  upper 
window  and  inquired  who  was  there.  My  answer  was, 
"  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry  with  a  dispatch  for  General 
Stoughton."  Footsteps  were  soon  heard  tripping  down 
stairs  and  the  door  opened.  A  man  stood  before  me  with 
nothing  on  but  his  shirt  and  drawers.  I  immediately  seized 
hold  of  his  shirt-collar,  and  whispered  in  his.  ear  who  I  was, 
and  ordered  him  to  lead  me  to  the  general's  room.  He  was 
Lieutenant  Prentiss  of  the  staff.  *We  went  straight  up  stairs 
where  Stoughton  was,  leaving  Welt  Hatcher  and  George 
Whitescarver  behind  to  guard  the  horses.  When  a  light 
was  struck  we  saw  lying  on  the  bed  before  us  the  man  of 
war.  He  was  buried  in  deep  sleep,  and  seemed  to  be  dream 
ing  in  all  the  fancied  security  of  the  Turk  on  the  night  when 
Marco  Bozzarris  with  his  band  burst  on  his  camp  from  the 
forest  shades : 

14  In  dreams,  through  court  and  camp,  he  bore 
The  trophies  of  a  conqueror." 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


V 


There  were  signs  in  the  room  of  having  been  revelry  in 
the  house  that  night.  Some  uncorked  champagne  bottles 
furnished  an  explanation  of  the  general's  deep  sleep.  He 
had  been  entertaining  a  number  of  ladies  from  Washington 
in  a  style  becoming  a  commanding  general.  The  revelers 
had  retired  to  rest  just  before  our  arrival  with  no  suspicion 
of  the  danger  that  was  hovering  over  them.  The  ladies  had 

fone  to  spend  the  night  at  a  citizen's  house  ;  loud  and  long 
have  been  told  were  the  lamentations  next  morning  when 
they  heard  of  the  mishap  that  had  befallen  the  gallant  young 
general.     He  had  been  caught  asleep,  ingloriously  in  bed, 

and  spirited  off  without  even 
bidding  them  good  bye.  As 
the  general  was  not  awakened 
by  the  noise  we  made  in  enter 
ing  the  room,  I  walked  up  to 
his  bed  and  pulled  off  the 
covering.  But  even  this  did 
not  arouse  him.  He  was 
turned  over  on  his  side  snor 
ing  like  one  of  the  seven 
sleepers.  With  such  environ 
ments  I  could  not  afford  to 
await  his  convenience  or  to 
stand  on  ceremony.  So  I  just 
pulled  up  his  shirt  and  gave 
him  a  spank.  Its  effect  was 
electric.  The  brigadier  rose 
from  his  pillow  and  in  an 
authoritative  tone  inquired  the 
meaning  of  this  rude  intrusion, 
He  had  not  realized  that  we 
were  not  some  of  his  staff.  1 
leaned  over  and  said  to  him : 
"  General,  did  you  ever  hear 

of  Mosby  ?  "  "  Yes,"  he  quickly  answered,  "  have  you 
caught  him  ?  "  "  No,"  I  said,  "  I  am  Mosby — he  has  caught 
you."  In  order  to  deprive  him  of  all  hope  I  told  him 
that  Stuart's  Cavalry  held  the  town  and  that  General  Jackson 
was  at  Centreville. 

With  a  look  of  agony  and  despair  he  asked  if  FitzLee  was 
there.  I  told  him  "  Yes."  "  Then,"  he  said,  "  take  me  to 
"him — we  were  classmates  at  West  Point."  "  Certainly,"  I 
said,  "but  I  am  in  a  hurry — dress  quick."  He  had  the  repu 
tation  of  being  a  gallant  soldier,  but  a  fop,  and  dressed  as 
carelully  before  a  looking-glass  as  Sardanapalus  did  when  he 


BRIG.-GEN.  EDWIN  H.  STOUGHTON, 

U.  S.  A. 
From  a  photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  41 

went  to  war.  When  we  got  to  the  front  door  Frank  Wil 
liams  handed  him  his  watch,  which  he  had  left  in  the  hurry 
of  departure.  Whitescarver  and  Welt  Hatcher,  who  had 
been  left  to  guard  the  horses,  had  not  been  idle  while  we 
were  in  the  house.  They  had  surrounded  some  tents,  and 
captured  seven  headquarters  couriers,  besides  several  fine 
horses  which  we  found  bridled  and  saddled.  I  was  deter 
mined  to  bring  off  the  general,  even  if  we  had  to  abandon 
all  our  other  captures.  So  I  would  not  let  Stoughton  hold 
his  bridle-reins,  but  told  Hunter  to  ride  by  his  side  and  hold 
them  at  all  hazards.  I  knew  that  Hunter  would  stick  to  him 
closer  than  a  brother.  Lieutenant  Prentiss  also  started 
with  us  a  prisoner,  but  as  I  let  him  hold  his  bridle-reins  he 
left  us  in  the  dark,  and  never  even  said  good-night.  When 
we  returned  to  the  court-house  square  all  the  squads  had 
collected  there  and  duly  done  their  work.  There  were 
twenty-nine  men  writh  me  and  we  had  about  one  hundred 
prisoners  and  horses  to  guard.  It  was  so  dark  that  the 
prisoners  did  not.  know  my  men  from  their  own.  In  the 
town  there  were  several  hundred  soldiers,  but  there  was  no 
concert  of  action  among  them.  All  was  panic  and  confu 
sion.  Each  man  was  in  search  of  a  safe  hiding-place.  Just 
as  we  were  moving  out  of  the  town  a  ludicrous  incident 
occured.  As  we  passed  by  a  house  an  upper  window  was 
lifted  and  a  voice  called  out  in  a  peremptory  tone  and  asked 
what  cavalry  that  was.  It  sounded  so  funny  that  the  men 
broke  out  in  a  loud  laugh.  I  knew  that  it  must  bean  officer 
of  rank  ;  so  the  column  was  halted,  and  Joe  Nelson  and  Welt 
Hatcher  were  ordered  to  search  the  house.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Johnstone,  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  was 
spending  the  night  there  with  his  wile.  For  some 
reason  he  suspected  something  wrong  when  he  heard  my 
men  laugh,  and  immediately  took  flight  in  his  shirt  tail  out 
of  the  back  door.  Nelson  and  Hatcher  broke  through  the 
front  door,  but  his  wife  met  them  like  a  lioness  in  the  hall, 
and  obstructed  them  all  she  could  in  order  to  give  time  for 
her  husband  to  make  his  escape.  The  officer  could  not  be 
found;  but  my  men  took  some  consolation  for  the  loss  by 
bringing  his  clothes  away  with  them.  He  had  run  out 
through  the  back-yard  into  the  garden  and  crawled  for  shel 
ter  in  a  place  it  is  not  necessary  to  describe.  He  lay  there 
concealed  and  shivering  with  cold  and  fear  until  after  day 
light.  He  did  not  know  for  some  time  that  we  had  goner 
and  he  was  afraid  to  come  out  of  his  hole  to  find  out.  His 
wife  didn't  know  where  he  was.  In  squeezing  himself  un 
der  shelter  he  had  torn  off  his  shirt,  and  when  he  appeared 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


before  his  wife  next  morning,  as  naked  as  when  he  was  born 
and  smelling  a  great  deal  worse,  it  is  reported  that  she  re 
fused  to  embrace  him  before  he  had  taken  a  bath.  After  he 
had  been  scrubbed  down  with  a  horse-brush  and  curry-comb 
he  started  in  pursuit  of  us,  but  went  in  the  opposite  direc 
tion  from  which  we  had  gone.  I  started  with  my  prisoners 
and  booty  towards  Fairfax  Station  just  to  deceive  the  enemy 
as  to  the  route  we  were  going  to  retreat.  After  going  back 
half  a  mile  we  wheeled  around  at  right  angles,  and  made  for 
the  pike  that  leads  from  the  court-house  to  Centreville. 
Our  safety  depended  on  getting  beyond  the  lines  before 

daylight.  We  struck  the 
pike  about  halfway  between 
Centreville  and  the  court 
house.  S  t  o  u  g  h  t  o  n  re 
marked  to  me  as  we  were 
riding  along  :  "  Captain, 
you  have  done  a  bold  thing, 
but  you  are  sure  to  be 
caught."  He  was  certain 
every  moment  of  hearing 
the  hoof-strokes  of  his 
cavalry  coming  in  hot  pur 
suit.  The  fact  was  that 
everybody  at  the  court 
house  seemed  to  have  lost 
his  head  ;  no  one  seemed  to 

have  the  presence  of  mind  to  try  to  rally  the  troops  to  the 
defense  of  the  place.  We  had  spent  an  hour  there,  raiding 
all  the  stables  and  headquarters  and  came  away  loaded 
down  with  prisoners  and  spoils  without  even  firing  a  shot  or 
having  one  fired  at  us.  I  knew  though  that  they  would  col 
lect  their  senses  after  they  found  out  we  were  gone  and 
would  come  after  us.  After  reaching  the  Centreville  pike 
the  principal  danger  was  in  front.  Although  we  were 
rapidly  getting  away  from  the  danger  behind  us  we  were 
still  approaching  another,  and  had  to  pass  by  Centreville 
before  we  Avould  be  safe.  Before  going  out  on  the  pike  I 
halted  the  column  and  told  Hunter  to  close  it  up.  Some  of  my 
men  were  riding  in  the  rear  and  some  on  the  flank  to  keep 
the  prisoners  from  running  away.  It  was  so  dark 
however  that  we  lost  a  considerable  number.  1  rode  out 
some  distance  in  advance  to  reconnoitre  along  the  road. 
Wyndham's  cavalry  corps  were  then  a  mile  behind  us.  No 
sound  disturbed  the  deep  stillness  t>f  the  night.  No  hostile 
form  was  there  to  intercept  us.  I  called  to  Hunter  to  come  on. 


FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  43 

We  were  then  about  four  miles  from  Centreville.  I  ordered 
Hunter  to  go  forward  at  a  fast  trot ;  with  Joe  Nelson  I  staid 
some  distance  in  the  rear.  Hunter  was  ordered,  no  matter 
what  happened,  to  hold  on  to  the  general. 

No  doubt  Stoughton  thoroughly  appreciated  the  interest 
I  felt  in  him.  Nelson  and  I  frequently  stopped  to  listen- 
nothing  but  the  hooting  of  owls  could  be  heard.  Every 
moment  my  heart  beat  higher  with  hope.  I  am  sure  that 
Caesar  was  not  more  oppressed  with  anxiety,  nor  felt  higher 
aspirations  on  the  eventful  morning  when  he  gave  the  order 
to  the  legions  that  changed  the  history  of  the  world.  My 
fate  was  then  trembling  in  the  balance  If  we  should  get 
caught  it  would  end  my  career  as  a  partisan ;  everybody 
would  say  that  I  had  tried  to  do  what  I  ought  to  have 
known  to  be  impossible.  The  camp-fires  on  the  heights 
around  Centreville  soon  became  visible  through  the  dark 
ness.  I  had  begun  to  feel  pretty  safe  from  pursuit,  but  the 
chief  peril  lay  in  flanking  the  troops  at  Centreville  without 
running  into  hostile  camps  not  far  away  on  either  side  of  it. 
It  was  as  difficult  a  problem  to  solve  as  steering  between 
Scylla  and  Charybdis.  Yet  I  was  cheered  by  the  knowledge 
that  if  I  succeeded  an  adventure  so  full  of  romance  would 
strike  a  deeper  impression  on  the  imagination  of  men  than 
a  battle.  Nelson  and  I  rode  up  at  a  gallop  to  overtake  the 
column  when  we  saw  that  it  had  halted.  When  we  caught 
up  with  it  we  could  see  a  smouldering  fire  by  the  pike  about 
a  hundred  yards  ahead  of  us.  It  was  evidently  a  picket 
post.  I  rode  forward  alone  to  reconnoitre.  No  one  was 
about  the  fire  ;  the  post  had  just  been  deserted.  I  called  to 
Hunter  to  move  on.  We  were  then  about  a  half  mile  from 
Centreville,  and  the  gray  dawn  was  just  beginning  to  ap 
pear.  We  passed  the  picket  post  and  then  turned  off  to  the 
right  to  go  over  the  forts  at  Centreville.  It  had  been  the 
habit  to  establish  a  picket  there  every  night  and  withdraw 
it  early  in  the  morning.  The  officer  in  charge  concluding 
that  there  was  no  danger  in  the  air,  had  returned  to  camp 
and  gone  to  sleep  just  before  we  got  there.  The  camps 
were  all  quiet ;  no  sign  of  alarm  ;  we  could  see  the  cannon 
bristling  through  the  embrasures  of  the  redoubts  not  more 
than  two  or  three  hundred  yards  away,  and  heard  the  senti 
nel  on  the  parapet  call  us  to  halt.  But  no  attention  was 
paid  to  it.  I  was  riding  down  a  short  distance  ahead  of  the 
column  when  I  heard  a  shot.  Turning  around  to  see  what 
it  meant  I  saw  Captain  Barker  dashing  toward  a  redoubt. 

One  of  my  men,  a  Hungarian  named  Jake,  who  had  fired 
the  shot,  was  just  about  giving  him   another  when   Barker 


44'  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

and  his  horse  tumbled  in  a  ditch,  which  spared  Jake  the 
necessity  of  shooting  again.  He  was  soon  extricated  and 
mounted,  and  we  marched  on.  I  asked  Barker  if  he  was 
hurt.  He  replied,  "  No."  All  this  happened  in  full  view  ol 
the  enemy's  camp,  which  was  in  gun-shot  of  us.  As  there 
were  more  prisoners  with  me  than  I  had  men,  no  doubt  the 
sentinels  mistook  us,  as  we  came  right  from  the  direction  of 
the  cavalry  camp,  for  a  body  of  their  own  cavalry  going 
out  on  a  scout. 

Nothing  so  far  as  they  knew  had  occurred  during  the 
night  to  break  the  monotony  of  the  cry — "All  quiet  along 
the  Potomac  to-night."  We  were  not  long  in  getting 
around  Centreville.  Soon  after  we  passed  outside  the 
enemy's  lines  we  got  to  Cub  Run,  where  a  new  danger  con 
fronted  us.  The  stream  was  swift  and  so  swollen  from  the 
melting  snow  and  rain  that  we  either  had  to  run  the  risk 
of  swimming  it,  or  turn  back.  But  in  full  view  behind 
were  the  white  tents  of  the  enemy  at  Centreville,  and  the 
cannon  pointing  at  us.  I  did  not  deliberate  a  moment,  but 
plunged  into  the  raging  torrent  and  swam  to  the  other  shore. 
The  current  was  strong,  but  so  was  my  horse.  Stoughton 
followed  next  to  me.  As  he  emerged  shivering  from  his 
morning  bath  he  said :  u  Well,  Captain,  this  is  the  first  out 
rage  that  I  have  to  complain  of."  It  was  a  miracle  that  not 
a  man  or  a  horse  was  drowned,  although  many  were  swept 
down  in  the  stream.  When  all  were  over  I  knew  that  we 
were  comparatively  safe,  and  that  no  cavalry  would  at 
tempt  to  swim  after  us.  As  we  had  to  make  a  circle  to  get 
back  onto  the  Warrenton  pike,  which  passes  through  Centre 
ville,  there  was  danger  of  a  cavalry  force  being  sent  from 
there  to  intercept  us.  So  again  putting  Hunter  in  com 
mand  of  the  column,  in  company  with  George  Slater  I  gal 
loped  on  to  see  what  was  ahead.  We  passed  Sudley  and 
came  on  the  pike  at  Groveton.  This  was  the  very  spot 
where  Fitz  John  Porter  had  met  such  a  bloody  repulse  from 
Stonewall  Jackson  the  year  before.  We  rode  off  on  a  high 
hill  from  which  we  could  'see  the  road  all  the  way  back  to 
Centreville.  No  enemy  was  in  pursuit,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
Hunter  appeared  in  sight.  We  were  safe.  Just  then  there 
was  a  glorious  sunburst.  In  the  rapture  of  the  moment  I 
said  to  Slater :  "  George,  that  shines  as  glorious  to  me  as 
the  sun  of  Austerlitz."  I  felt  that  I  had  drawn  a  prize 
in  the  lottery  of  life,  for 

*' Who  can  contemplate  Fame  through  clouds  unfold 
The  star  which  rises  o'er  her  steep,  nor  climb  ?" 

When  Stoughton  saw  the  Union  camp  seven  miles  away 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


45 


on  the  heights  around  Centreville,  he  lost  all  hope  of  being 
recaptured.  He  was  young,  a  professional  soldier  and  am 
bitious  ;  having  been  captured  in  a  way  that  would  subject 
him  to  ridicule,  his  pride  was  deeply  touched.  It  is  reported 
that  Mr.  Lincoln,  when  he  heard  of  it,  remarked  with  cynical 
humor  that  he  didn't  care  so  much  about  the  general,  as  he 
could  make  another  in  five  minutes,  but  that  he  hated  to  lose 
the  horses.  Stoughton's  mortification  deeply  excited  my 
sympathy.  When  he  cast  a  despairing  look  at  the  Union 
camp  behind  him  it  recalled  to  my  mind  the  pathetic  story 
of  Boabdil  when  he  turned  to  look  back  on  the  towers  of 
Granada  and  breathed  "  The  last  sigh  of  the  Moor."  At 
Warrenton  men,  women  and  children  came  out  to  give  us 
an  ovation.  I  was  as  proud  of  it  as  a  Roman  general  when 
the  Senate  had  decreed  him  a  triumph.  Stoughton  had  been 
there  before.  At  West  Point  he  had  been  a  classmate  of  a 
young  man  named  Beckham,  whose  home  was  there,  and  he 
had  spent  a  vacation  with  him. 
We  stopped  at  his  house  a  ^  -^ 

short  time,  and  he  was  kindly 
received  by  the  family.  Early 
the  next,  morning  I  reached 
Culpeper  Court  House  with 
my  captures  :  one  general,  two 
captains,  thirty  privates  and 
fifty-eight  horses.  I  remember 
Fitz  Lee's  look  of  surprise 
when  I  introduced  his  old 
classmate  to  him.  During  the 
day  Stuart  arrived  from  Frede- 
ricksburg.  He  came  to  attend 
a  court-martial.  I  met  him  at 
the  train  and  shall  never  for 
get  the  delight  with  which  he 
heard  my  story.  Only  two 
months  before  we  had  parted 
at  his  tent  when  I  started  off 
to  seek  for  adventures.  He 
announced  in  flattering  terms 
in  a  general  order  my  exploit 
to  the  cavalry.  Praise  from  Stuart  was  all  the  reward  I 
wanted.  Stoughton's  reputation  as  a  soldier  was  blasted  ; 
he  was  soon  exchanged,  but  never  returned  to  the  army. 
Wyndham  was  relieved  ;  his  successor  had  no  more 
success  in  suppressing  my  depredations  than  Wyndham, 
and  soon  had  to  relinquish  his  command.  Colonel  John- 


HENRY    N.    BRAWNER,   CO.   A. 

From  a  photograph. 


46  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

stone  did  not  survive  the  ridicule  he  incurred  by  his 
selection  of  a  hiding-place  and  appearing-  stark  naked 
at  headquarters.  Major  Gilmer,  whom  he  had  put  under 
arrest  a  few  days  before  for  making  a  fool  of  himself  when 
he  came  after  me,  now  had  the  laugh  on  him.  He  too  made 
his  exit  from  the  stage.  I  was  never  able  to  duplicate  this 
adventure ;  it  was  one  of  those  things  a  man  can  do  only 
once  in  a  lifetime.  The  Northern  cavalry  got  too  smart  to 
allow  the  repetition.  My  calculation  of  success  was  based 
on  the  theory  that  to  all  appearances  it  was  an  impossibility. 
It  was  charged  at  the  time  that  citizens  of  the  place  were  in 
collusion  with  me,  and  had  given  the  information  on  which 
I  had  acted.  It  Avas  not  true  ;  I  had  had  no  communication 
with  any  one  there.  Several  men,  and  also  a  young  lady  at 
whose  house  Stoughton's  guests  had  slept  that  night,  were 
arrested  and  sent  to  prison  in  Washington.  They  were  all 
as  innocent  of  the  charge  of  complicity  in  the  act  as  Mr. 
Lincoln.  The  young  lady  got  her  revenge  by  marrying  the 
provost-marshal.2  JOHN  S.  MOSBV. 

2  The  Provost  Marshal  at  Fairfax  Court  House  made  the  following  report  : 

PROVOST-MARSHAL'S  OFFICE, 
Fairfax  Court  Hottse,   Va.,  March  10,   1863. 
COLONEL  WYNDHAM, 

Commanding  Cavalry  Brigade  and  Post.' 
SIR  : 

On  the  night  of  the  8th  instant,  say  about  two  or  half-past  two  a.  m.,  Cap 
tain  Mosby,  with  his  command,  entered  this  village  by  an  easterly  direction, 
then  advanced  upon  my  outer  vedette,  when  he  challenged  (no  countersign  out). 
The  ribel  picket  or  scout  advanced,  presenting  at  the  same  time  two  revolvers 
to  his  head  and  threatening  to  blow  his  brains  out  if  he  said  a  word,  demand 
ing  his  arms,  &c.,  when  the  force  came  up  and  captured  every  man  on  patrol, 
with  horses,  equipments,  &c.,  until  reaching  the  Provost-Marshal's  stables, 
when  they  halted  and  entered  the  stables,  taking  every  horse  available 
with  them.  They  then  proceeded  to  Colonel  Stoughton's  stables,  captured 
his  guard,  took  his  horses  and  those  of  his  aids.  They  then  proceeded 
to  Colonel  Wyndham's  headquarters  and  took  all  the  horses  and  movable 
property  with  them.  In  the  meantime  others  (of  Captain  Mosby's  command) 
were  despatched  to  all  quarters  where  officers  were  lodged,  taking  them 
out  of  their  beds,  together  with  the  telegraph  operator,  assistant,  &c.,  &c. 
They  searched  the  Provost-Marshal's  office,  and,  finding  him  absent,  went  to 
the  post  hospital  and  there  made  diligent  search  for  him,  offering  a  reward  for 
him.  The  Provost- Marshal  had  just  left  the  street,  say  ten  minutes  before  they 
entered,  and  went  across  some  vacant  lots  to  ascertain^from  one  of  his  vedettes 
if  he  had  caught  any  horses  or  horse  thieves.  Another  party,  ten  in  number, 
proceeded  to  Colonel  Stoughton's  headquarters,  taking  him  and  one  of  his  aids, 
named  Prentiss,  who  afterwards  made  his  escape,  prisoners.  They  then  pro 
ceeded  to  Colonel  Wyndham's  headquarters  and  took  Captain  Barker,  of  the 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  47 

This  achievement  elicited  the  following  complimentary 
notice  from  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart : 

"  General  Order  No.  — . 

"  Captain  John  S.  Mosby  has  for  a  long  time  attracted 
the  attention  of  his  Generals  by  his  boldness,  skill  and  suc 
cess,  so  signally  displayed  in  his  numerous  forays  upon  the 
invaders  of  his  native  State. 

"  None  knew  his  daring  enterprise  and  dashing  heroism 
better  than  those  foul  invaders  though  strangers  themselves 
to  such  noble  traits. 

"  His  late  brilliant  exploit — the  capture  of  Brigadier- 
General  Stoughton,  U.  S.  A.,  2  captains,  30  other  prisoners, 
together  with  their  arms,  equipments  and  58  horses — justi 
fies  this  recognition  in  General  orders.  This  feat,  almost 
unparalleled  in  the  wir,  was  performed  in  the  midst  of  the 
enemy's  troops  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  without  loss  or 
injury. 

"  The  gallant  band  of  Captain  Mosby  share  the  glory,  as 
they  did  the  danger  of  this  enterprise  and  are  worthy  of 
such  a  leader. 

"J.  E.  B.  STUART, 
1  i Major- General  Co m ma nding. 

Mosby  was  then  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major,  with  au 
thority  to  organize  a  battalion. 

Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  and  also  Baron  Vardner,  who  was  stopping  at  the 
Colonel's.  In  the  meantime  another  party  of  them  entered  the  residence  of 
Colonel  Johnston  and  searched  the  house  for  him.  He  had,  previous  to  their 
entering  the  town,  heard  of  their  movements,  and,  believing  them  to  be  the 
patrol,  went  out  to  halt  them,  but  soon  found  out  his  mistake.  He  then  entered 
the  house  again — he  being  in  a  nude  state — and  got  out  backwards,  they  in  hot 
pursuit  of  him.  He,  however,  evaded  them  by  getting  under  a  barn,  and  had 
scarcely  concealed  himself  when  a  guard  of  three  men  were  placed  upon  it. 

It  is  supposed  that  they  entered  our  lines  between  Frying  Pan  and  Herndon 
Station,  taking  a  diagonal  course  to  come  in  at  the  lower  end  of  the  village. 
On  leaving  they  went  out  by  way  of  Colonel  Wyndham's  stables  (southwest) 
and  proceeded  towards  Centreville,  cutting  telegraph  wires  as  they  went  along. 
I  am  told  by  parties  who  had  seen  them  that  they  were  some  three  hundred 
strong.  I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

LIEUT.  D.  L.  O'CONNOR, 

Provost-Marshal. 


CHAPTER  III. 

March  to  May,  1863 — Guides  and  Scouts — Capture  Pickets  near  Herndon  Station — Chantilly  Fight 
—Fight  at  Miskel's  (Broad  Run) — Capture  of  First  Virginia  (Federal)  Regiment  at 
Warrenton  Junction—  Mosby  Defeated  by  the  First  Vermont  and  Fifth  New  York  Cav 
alry  and  Prisoners  Recaptured— Raiding  Parties  Hunting  for  Mosby — "  The  Yankees  are 
Coming  !M— Skirmish  near  Blakeley's  Grove— Sixty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry  attempts 
to  "  Bushwhack  "  Mosby,  but  catch  their  own  Men  in  the  Trap — Capture  of  Train  and 
Fight  at  Catlett's  Station — Death  of  Captain  Hoskins. 

A  very  important  aid  to  Mosby  in  his  successful  attacks 
and  surprises  was  the  selection  of  skilful  and  intelligent 
guides  and  scouts — men  familiar  with  the  section  of  country 
in  which  he  operated — knowing  all  the  little  roads  and  cow- 
paths  ;  who  could  creep  through  the  dense  undergrowth  or 
dark  ravines  like  foxes,  unobserved,  and  if  discovered  easily 
elude  pursuit.  Prominent  among  these  were  the  Under 
wood  brothers,  John1,  Samuel  and  Bushrod,  in  Fairfax ; 
John  S.  Russell,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  Walter 
Bowie,  in  Maryland. 

On  Tuesday,  the  i/th  of  March,  Captain  Mosby  attacked 
.the  reserve  picket  post  of  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry  at 
Herndon  Station,  in  Fairfax.  Gaining  their  rear,  he  ad 
vanced  on  the  post.  The  sentinel,  seeing  them  coming  from 
the  direction  of  the  Federal  camp  ,  supposed  them  to  be  a 
patrol  and  allowed  them  to  approach  within  a  short  distance 
before  challenging.  The  pickets  being  surprised  made  but 
little  resistance  and  the  majority  were  captured,  among 
them  i  major,  I  captain,  2  lieutenants  and  21  privates,  to 
gether  with  26  horses  and  equipments.  One  of  the  Federals 
was  wounded  and  left  on  the  field.  Some  of  the  enemy  who 
escaped  gave  the  alarm,  and  a  force  was  started  in  pursuit, 

1John  Underwood,  after  a  few  months'  service,  was  killed  by  a  deserter  from 
the  Confederate  army 

48 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  49 

but  coming  up  with   Mosby's  rear  guard  and  receiving  a 
check,  abandoned  the  pursuit.2 

Mosby  announced  his  success  to  General  Stuart  in  the 
following  report  : 

Near  Piedmont,  Va.,  March  18,  1863. 

GENERAL:  Yesterday  I  attacked  a  body  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry  at  Herndon  Station,  in  Fairfax  county,  completely 
routing  them.  I  brought  off  25  prisoners,  a  Major  Wells,  I 
captain,  2  lieutenants  and  21  men,  all  their  arms,  26  horses 
and  equipments.  One  severely  wounded  was  left  on  the 
ground.  The  enemy  pursued  me  in  force  but  were  checked 
by  my  rear  guard,  and  gave  up  the  pursuit.  My  loss  was 
nothing.  The  enemy  have  moved  their  cavalry  from  Ger- 
mantown  back  of  Fairfax  Court  House  on  the  Alexandria 
pike. 

In  this  affair  my  officers  and  men  behaved  splendidly. 
JNO.  S.  MOSBY,  Captain  Commanding. 

[Indorsements.] 

H'DQ'RS  LEE'S  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,     \ 
March  W,  1863.  j 

Respectfully  forwarded.  Such  performances  need  no 
comment.  '  The  soldiers  were  paroled.  The  officers  will  be 

sent  to  Richmond.  TTTT'Z  T  T?T?    r>    •      j-     /~          / 

FITZ  LEE,  Brigadier  General. 

Respectfully  forwarded  and  attention  called  to  this  latest 
achievement  of  Captain  Mosby. 

In  the  absence  of  General  Stuart,  and  by  comman^, 

R.  CHANNING  PRICE,  Asst.  Ad'jt  Gen. 

Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  depart 
ment  and  as  an  evidence  of  the  merit  and  continued  success 
of  Captain  Mosby.  R_ 


2  Repot t  of  Major  Chas.  F.   Taggart,  Second  Pennsvliwni  i  Cavalry. 

Dranesville,  March  24,  1863. 
To  Col.  R.  BUTLER  PRICE,,  Comdg.  Cav.  Brigade  : 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  zyth  inst.,  at  i  p.  m.,  the 
reserve  picket  post  at  Herndon  Station,  consisting  of  25  men,  under  command 
of  Second  Lieut.  Alexander  G.  Watson,  Company  L,  First  Vermont  Cavalry, 
was  surprised  by  Captain  Mosby,  with  a  force  of  42  men,  anJ  21  of  our  men, 
together  with  Major  William  Wells,  Captain  Robert  Scofield,  Company  F,  Sec 
ond  Lieut.  Alexander  G.  Watson,  Company  L,  and  Perley  C.  J.  Cheney,  Com 
pany  C  (Second  Lieut.),  captured,  all  of  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry  ;  the  first 
3  were  visiting  the  post. 

The  surprise  was  so  complete  that  the  men  made  but  little  or  no  resistance. 
The  enemy  were  led  on  by  citizens  and  entered  on  foot  by  a  bridle  path  in  the 


MOS*&Y'S   RANGERS. 


While  scouting  in  Fairfax  with  John  Underwood  to  ascer 
tain  the  position  and  strength  of  the  Federal  forces,  Mosby 
determined  to  attempt  the  surprise  of  outposts  at  Chantilly 
and  Frying  Pan — there  being  about  100  cavalry  at  each  of 
these  places. 

Starting  from  Rector's  X  Roads  on  the  23d  of  March, 
1863,  he  proceeded  down  the  turnpike  until  within  about  six 

miles  of  Chantilly,  when  he  left 
the  road,  though  still  keeping  the 
same  direction.  Coming  out  from 
a  piece  of  woods  within  a  mile  of 
the  Chantilly  mansion,  he  moved 
towards  the  picket  posted  on  a 
little  run  on  the  Little  River  Turn 
pike.  Seeing  the  vedettes,  some 
of  our  men  left  the  ranks  and 
dashed  off  in  pursuit.  They  sud 
denly  came  upon  a  picket  of  10 
men  which  had  been  thrown  out 
on  the  turnpike.  One  was  killed 
and  5  or  6  surrendered  and  were 
taken  back  to  Mosby. 

The  alarm  being  given,  the  re 
serves  were  called  out,  and  Mosby  finding  the  force  quite  a 
large  one,  fell  back  up  the  turnpike,  the  Federals  fol 
lowing. 

Halting  at  a  place  where  there  was  a  barricade  of  fallen 
trees,  Mosby  formed  his  men  behind  this  obstruction  and 
awaited  their  coming.  On  they  came,  but  in  the  pursuit 
they  were  strung  out  along  the  road,  and  on  receiving 

rear  of  the  post,  capturing  the  vedette  stationed  out  on  the  road  before  he  was 
able  to  give  the  alarm.  Every  effort  was  made  by  me  on  receipt  of  the  intelli 
gence  to  capture  the  party,  but  without  avail.  Had  Second  Lieut.  Edwin  H. 
Higley,  Company  K,  First  Vermont  Cavalry,  who  had  started  with  the  relief 
for  the  post,  consisting  of  40  men,  together  with  10  of  the  old  guard  who  joined 
him,  performed  his  duty,  the  whole  party  could  and  would  have  been  taken.  I 
cannot  too  strongly  urge  that  orders  may  be  given  that  all  citizens  near  out 
posts  must  remove  beyond  the  lines.  Such  occurrences  are  exceedingly  dis 
creditable,  but  sometimes  unavoidable,  not  only  calculated  to  embolden  the 
enemy  but  dispirit  the  men. 


LAFAYETTE   BROWN  [NC 
From  a  photograph 


CO.    B. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  51 

Mosby's  fire,  wavered.  A  charge  was  now  ordered ;  the 
Rangers  rushed  forward  with  a  yell  and  the  fight  became  a 
chase.  The  Federals  were  driven  back  and  could  not  be 
rallied. 

The  chase  was  continued  for  about  three  miles,  back  to 
the  place  where  it  commenced.  Here  the  Federals  were  re 
inforced  by  the  reserve  from  Frying  Pan  Church,  and 
Mosby  was  compelled  to  halt  and  then  retreat.  The  enemy 
did  not  pursue  very  far,  as  night  was  coming  on,  and  they 
were  afraid  of  being  led  into  a  trap. 

Mosby  sustained  no  loss.  The  Federals  lost  5  killed, 
several  were  wounded,  and  35  prisoners  were  taken3.  [See 
Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  II.] 

In  response  to  his  despatch,  General  Stuart  sent  the  fol 
lowing  to  Mosby  : 

HEADQUARTERS,  CAVALRY  DIVISION,     ) 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  Marck  27,  1863.  \ 
CAPTAIN  :     Your    telegram,    announcing  your   brilliant 
achievements   near   Chantilly,  was  duly  received  and  for 
warded  to  General  Lee.     He  exclaimed  upon   reading  it, 
"  Hurrah  for  Mosby  !  I  wish  I  had  a  hundred  like  him  !" 
Heartily  wishing  you  continued  success,  1  remain 
Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  E.  B.  STUART, 
Major- General  Com ina nding . 

On  Tuesday,  the  3ist  of  March,  Mosby,  with  his  detail 
and  such  volunteers  as  he  had  been  able  to  muster,  number 
ing  in  all  less  than  70  men,  moved  off  towards  Dranesville; 

3  Report  of  Lieut. -Col.  Robert  Johnstone,  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry. 

Fairfax  C.  H. ,  March  23,  1863. 

SIR  :  At  5  p.  m.  our  picket  in  front  of  Chantilly  was  Attacked.  The  vedettes 
were  on  the  alert  and  gave  the  alarm.  The  reserve  of  about  70  men  were  im 
mediately  under  arms  and  charged  the  enemy,  who  fled  for  two  miles  along 
the  Little  River  turnpike.  Between  Saunders'  Toll  gate  and  Cub  Run  there  is 
a  strip  of  woods  about  half  a  mile  wide,  through  which  the  road  runs.  Within 
the  woods  and  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  apart  are  two .  barricades  of  fallen 
trees  ;  our  troops  pursued  the  enemy  between  these  barricades.  Behind  the 
latter  some  of  the  enemy  were  concealed.  The  head  of  the  column  was  here 
stopped  by  a  fire  of  carbines  and  pistols,  and  also  by  a  fire  upon  the  flank  from 
the  woods.  The  column  broke,  and  was  pursued  by  the  enemy  one  and  a  half 
miles.  It  was  then  rallied  by  the  exertions  of  Majors  Bacon  and  White. 
Captains  McGuinn  and  Hasbrouck,  when  they  heard  of  the  alarm,  proceeded 


52  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

thence  up  the  Leesburg  turnpike  and  camped  for  the  night 
at  Miskel's  farm,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  and  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  Potomac  River. 

Miskel's  was  selected  as  a  camping  ground  for  the  reason 
that  it  was  the  only  place  for  miles  around  where  forage 
could  be  procured.  Some  of  the  men  slept  on  the  floor  in 
the  house  where  there  was  a  good  fire,  but  the  majority 
took  up  their  quarters  in  the  barn  where  there  was  a  plenti 
ful  supply  of  hay.  The  horses  were  hitched  to  the  high 
fence  surrounding  the  barnyard.  This  fence  had  a  gate 
opening  into  a  field  through  which  a  road  ran  leading  to 
the  turnpike.  The  presence  of  Mosby  in  the  neighborhood 
was  communicated  by  a  Union  citizen  to  the  officer  in  com 
mand  of  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry,  camped  on  Difficult 
Run,  and  Captain  Flint,  with  two  squadrons  of  selected  vol 
unteers,  started  out  to  surprise  and  capture  the  Partisans. 

Dick  Moran,  one  of  "  Mosby's  Men,"  had  stopped  for  the 
night  with  an  old  acquaintance  named  Green,  who  lived  on 
the  road  between  Dranesville  and  Miskel's,  and  Captain  Flint, 
in  passing,  stopped  at  Green's  house.  Moran  hid  until  the 
Federals  had  passed,  and  then,  mounting  his  horse,  took  a 
short  cut  across  the  fields  to  warn  Mosby  of  their  approach. 

About  sunrise  next  morning  one  of  the  men  came  into 
the  house  and  said  he  noticed  the  enemy  in  the  Federal 
camps  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  were  making  signals. 
Mosby  went  out  into  the  yard  to  look  at  them,  when  he 
spied  Dick  Moran  riding  towards  him  at  breakneck  speed 
waving  his  hat  and  shouting,  "  Mount  your  horses  !  The 
Yankees  are  coming  !  " 

Mosby  rushed  to  the  barnyard  on  foot  to  rally  his  men 

on  a  gallop  from  Frying  Pan,  and  joining  Major  White's  command,  pursued 
the  enemy  for  eight  miles.  Night  coming  on,  and  the  enemy  being  more 
numerous  than  we  were,  and  our  horses  exhausted,  the  column  halted  and  re 
turned  to  Chantilly.  The  line  of  pickets  is  now  re-established. 

Our  loss  is  :  Killed,  Corporal  (Charles)  Gilleo,  Company  H,  Fifth  New  York 
Cavalry  ;  James  Doyle,  Company  C  ;  John  Harris,  Company  K.  Mortally 
wounded,  Sergeant  (William)  Leahey,  Company  C.  Lieut.  Merritt  taken 
prisoner. 

I  have  ordered  returns  to  be  sent  in  at  once,  but  as  the  line  of  picket  is  very 
extensive,  I  will  not  be  able  to  give  you  the  list  of  prisoners  and  missing  for 
some  hours. 


54  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

and  found  Flint's  first  squadron  marching  through  the  gate 
into  the  field  and  they  soon  opened  a  brisk  fire  on  the 
Rangers  engaged  in  bridling  and  saddling  their  horses. 
The  fire  was  returned,  however,  and  Captain  Flint  fell, 
mortally  wounded,  pierced  by  six  bullets. 

Harry  Hatcher,  seeing  his  leader  on  foot,  dismounted  and 
gave  his  horse  to  Mosby  who,  once  in  the  saddle,  led  his  men 
in  the  charge  and  Harry  was  soon  mounted  on  a  captured 
horse  and  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 

In  their  efforts  to  escape  from  the  furious  onslaught  of  the 
Rangers,  the  terror-stricken  Federals  became  wedged  in  the 
narrow  passage  through  the  gateway,  and  thus  hemmed  in, 
they  suffered  terribly  from  the  murderous  fire  poured  into 
them,  until,  bursting  through,  they  rushed  frantically  out  to 
the  woods  and  turnpike,  pursued  by  the  Rangers  who 
fiercely  hung  upon  their  rear. 

Mosby  lost  one  man  killed — Davis,  of  Kentucky,  and  three 
wounded — Edward  Hurst,  of  Fauquier,  Keys  of  the  First 
Virginia  Cavalry,  and  R.  A.  Hart,  of  the  Black  Horse  Cav 
alry.  (See  Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  II.). 

The  Federals  lost  10  killed,  15  wounded,  83  prisoners; 
and  95  horses  were  captured.4 

4 Report  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee,  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

Hdqs.  Camp  Fed's,  April  4,  1863. 

MR.  PRESIDENT  :  Major  John  S.  Mosby  reports  that  he  was  attacked  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  2d  (ist)  instant,  near  Dranesville,  by  about  200  Vermont 
cavalry.  He  promptly  repulsed  them,  leaving  on  the  field  25  killed  and  wounded, 
including  three  officers,  and  brought  off  82  prisoners,  with  their  horses,  arms 
and  equipments.  His  force  consisted  of  65  men  and  his  loss  was  four  wounded. 
The  enemy  has  evacuated  Dranesville. 

I  had  the  pleasure  to  send  by  return  courier  to  Major  Mosby  his  commission 
of  Major  of  Partisan  Rangers,  for  which  I  am  obliged  to  Your  Excellency. 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 
His  Excellency  JEFFERSON  DAVIS, 

President  Confederate  States  of  America. 


Report  of  Major-General  Julius  Stahel,  U.  S.  A.     Commanding  Cavalry 
Division,  Department  of  Virginia. 

HEADQUARTERS  STAHEL'S  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

Fairfax  C.  H.,  April  2,  1S63. 

GENERAL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report,  which  is,  how 
ever,  made  up  from  verbal  information  received  from  Col.  Price,  Lieut.  Col. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


55 


In  Colonel  Mosby 's  "Reminiscences"  he  relates  an  inci 
dent  which  our  artist  has  shown  in  the  picture  of  the 
"  Miskel  Fight  "  : 

"  There  was  with  me  that  day  a  young-  artillery  officer — 
Samuel  F.  Chapman — who  at  the  first  call  of  his  State  to 
arms  had  quit  the  study  of  divinity  and 
became,  like  Stonewall  Jackson,  a  sort 
of  military  Calvin,  singing  the  psalms 
of  David  as  he  went  into  battle.  I 
must  confess  that  his  character  as  a 
soldier  was  more  on  the  model  of  the 
Hebrew  prophets  than  the  apostles  or 
the  Baptist  in  whom  he  was  so  devout 
a  believer.  Before  he  got  to  the  ga(e 
Sam  had  already  exhausted  every  barrel 
of  his  two  pistols  and  drawn  his  sabre. 
As  the  fieiy  Covenanter  rode  on  his 
predestined  course  the  enemy's  ranks 
withered  wherever  he  went.  He  was 
just  in  front  of  me — he  was  generally 
in  front  of  everybody  in  a  fight — at  the 
gate.  It  was  no  fault  of  the  Union 
cavalry  that  they  did  not  get  through 
any  faster  than  they  did,  but  Sam 
seemed  to  think  that  it  was.  Even  at 
that  supreme  moment  in  my  life,  when  I  had  just  stood  on  the 
brink  of  ruin  and  had  barely  escaped,  I  could  not  restrain 
a  propensity  to  laugh.  Sam,  to  give  more  vigor  to  his 

Johnstone  and  Major  Taggart.  I  will  forward  the  written  report  as  soon  as  it  is 
received,  and  shall  take  all  possible  means  to  ascertain  the  true  state  of  the  case. 

It  appears  that  on  the  evening  of  the  3ist  ultimo,  Major  Taggart,  at  Union 
Church,  two  miles  above  Peach  Grove,  received  information  that  Mosby,  with 
about  65  men,  was  near  Dranesville.  He  immediately  despatched  Capt.  Flint, 
with  150  men  of  the  First  Vermont,  to  rout  or  capture  Mosby  and  his  force. 

Captain  Flint  followed  the  Leesburg  and  Alexandria  road  to  the  road  which 
branches  off  to  the  right  just  this  side  of  Broad  Run.  Turning  to  the  right 
they  followed  up  the  Broad  Run  toward  the  Potomac  to  the  place  marked 
"J.  Mesed."  Here  at  a  house  they  came  onto  Mosby,  who  was  completely 
surprised  and  wholly  unprepared  for  an  attack  from  our  forces.  Had  a  proper 
disposition  been  made  of  our  troops,  Mosby  could  not,  by  any  possible  means, 
have  escaped.  It  seems  that  around  this  house  was  a  high  board  fence  and 
ordinary  farm  gate.  Captain  Flint  took  his  men  through  the  gate,  and  at  a 
distance  from  the  house  fired  a  volley  at  Mosby  and  his  men,  who  were  as 
sembled  about  the  house,  doing  but  slight  damage  to  them.  He  then  ordered 
a  sabre  charge,  which  was  also  ineffectual,  on  account  of  the  fence  which  inter 
vened.  Mosby  waited  until  the  men  were  checked  by  the  fence,  and  then 


CAPT.  HENRY  C.  FLINT, 

First  Vermont  Cavalry. 

From  a  photograph  taken  du 
ring  the  War. 

Killed  at  MiskePs  (Broad  Run) 
April  i,  1863. 


56  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

blows,  was  standing  straight  up  in  his  stirrups  dealing  them 
right  and  left  with  all  the  the  theological  fervor  of  Burly  of 
Balfour.  I  doubt  whether  he  prayed  that  day  for  the  souls 
of  those  he  sent  over  the  Stygian  river.  I  made  him  a  cap 
tain  for  it." 

While  General  Stahel's  Division  of  Cavalry  was  picketing 
the  line  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  Mosby, 
with  98  men,  bivouacked  on  the  night  of  May  2d  about  two 
miles  from  Warrenton,  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  3d 
moved  off  towards  Warrenton  Junction,  where  a  force  of 
the  enemy  was  reported. 

Here  he  found  the  First  Virginia  (Federal)  Cavalry  who 
had  just  been  relieved  from  duty  and  were  resting  in  fancied 
security.  Some  were  under  the  shade  of  the  trees,  others 
in  the  block  buildings,  their  horses  unsaddled,  unbridled, 
and  many  turned  out  in  a  field  to  graze. 

opened  his  fire  upon  them,  killing  and  wounding  several.  The  men  here  be 
came  panic-stricken,  and  fled  precipitately  toward  this  gate,  through  which  to 
make  their  escape.  The  opening  was  small  and  they  got  wedged  together, 
and  a  fearful  state  of  confusion  followed,  while  Mosby's  men  followed  them  up 
and  poured  into  the  crowd  a  severe  fire.  Here,  while  endeavoring  to  rally  his 
men,  Captain  Flint  was  killed  and  Lieutenant  Grout,  of  the  same  company, 
mortally  wounded  (will  probably  die  to-day). 

[Captain  Flint  and  Lie'ut.  Charles  A.  Woodbury  were  the  officers  killed. 
Lieut.  Josiah  Grout,  Jr.,  was  discharged  (as  captain)  October  i,  1863.] 

Mosby's  men  followed  in  pursuit  and  sabred  several  of  our  men  on  the 
road.  Mosby,  during  his  pursuit,  is  supposed  to  have  received  a  sabre  wound 
across  the  face  which  unhorsed  him.  The  rebels  took  some  prisoners  and  a 
number  of  horses,  and  fell  back  in  great  haste.  In  comparison  to  the  number 
engaged,  our  loss  was  very  heavy. 

Since  Major  Taggart  received  the  report  he  sent  Major  Hall  in  pursuit  of 
Mosby  and  to  bring  in  our  killed  and  wounded.  Upon  receiving  the  first  intel 
ligence  I  immediately  sent  out  Colonel  Price  with  a  detachment  of  the  Sixth 
and  Seventh  Michigan  and  First  Virginia,  who  searched  in  every  direction,  but 
no  trace  could  be  found  of  Mosby  or  his  men,  as  information  reached  me  too  late. 

I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  inform  the  Commanding  General  that  the  forces 
sent  out  by  Major  Taggart  missed  so  good  an  opportunity  of  capturing  this 
rebel  guerrilla.  It  is  only  to  be  ascribed  to  the  bad  management  on  the  part 
of  the  officers  and  the  cowardice  of  the  men.  I  have  ordered  Colonel  Price  to 
make  a  thorough  investigation  of  this  matter,  and  shall  recommend  those  offi 
cers  who  are  guilty  to  be  stricken  from  the  roll.* 

The  list  of  killed  and  wounded  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  received. 

Ihave  the  honor  to  remain,  your  obedient  servant, 

JUL.  STAHEL,  Major-General. 
Maj.-Gen.  S.  P.  HEINTZELMAN,  Commanding,  &c. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


57 


They  took  but  little  notice  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  at  first, 
mistaking  them  for  a  party  of  their  own  men  who  had  been 
sent  out  on  a  scout,  but  they  were  soon  undeceived  when 
Mosby  ordered  a  charge.  Many  of  those  scattered  around 
surrendered  immediately,  but  about  one  hundred  took 
refuge  in  the  largest  building  and  prepared  to  defend  them 
selves.  Then  the  fight  commenced  in  earnest.  Those  in 
side  poured  out  a  galling 
fire  on  their  assailants, 
while  "  Mosby's  Men " 
rode  up  to  the  windows 
and  discharged  their 
weapons  at  those  within. 

After  the  fight  had  gone 
on  in  this  manner  for 
about  half  an  hour,  and 
the  Federals  still  refused 
to  surrender,  Mosby  or 
dered  Alfred  Glasscock 
to  set  fire  to  a  pile  of  hay 
near  by  and  burn  the 
house.  In  the  meantime 
Samuel  Chapman,  John 
DeButts,  Harry  Sweet 
ing  and  a  few  others,  dis 
mounted,  burst  in  the 
door  and  entering  the 
building  opened  fire  on 
those  inside,  at  the  same 
time  demanding  their  sur 
render.  The  officer  up 
stairs,  deeming  it  useless  to  resist  further,  hung  out  a  white 
flag. 

Gathering  up  the  prisoners,  horses,  and  captured  spoils, 
the  Rangers  were  preparing  to  retire,  when  the  First  Ver 
mont  and  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  attracted  by  the  firing, 
came  up  from  near  Cedar  Run  Bridge,  where  they  had 
been  bivouacked,  and  fiercely  attacked  Mosby.  His  men 
now  being  thoroughly  disorganized,  were  forced  to  retreat, 


MAJOR-GENERAL  JULIUS  STAHEL,  U.  S.  A. 
From  a  War-time  photograph. 


58  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

leaving  most  of  their  prisoners,  horses  and  other  captures 
behind. 

Templeton,  one  of  Stonewall  Jackson's  best  scouts,  was 
killed,  and  about  20  men  wounded — among-  them,  Capt. 
Ducheane,  T.  W.  T.  Richards,  T.  M.  Grigsby,  Sam.  Under 
wood  and  Dick  Moran. 

General  Stahel  in  his  despatch  to  General  Heintzelman, 
admits  a  loss  of  2  killed  and  1 5  wounded.  Major  Steele, 
of  the  First  Virginia  (Federal),  Cavalry  was  mortally 
wounded.  5 

Mosby  brought  out  7  prisoners  and  a  few  horses. 


5  Report  of  Gen.  Julius  Stahel. 

Fairfax  C.  H. ,  May  5,  1863. 

CAPTAIN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  3!  of  May,  between  8  and 
9  a.  m.,  Mosby,  with  his  band  of  guerrillas,  together  with  a  portion  of  the  Black 
Horse  Cavalry  and  a  portion  of  a  North  Carolina  regiment,  came  suddenly 
through  the  woods  upon  50  of  our  men  of  the  First  (West)  Virginia  Cavalry,  who 
were  in  camp  feeding  their  horses,  just  having  returned  from  a  scout,  the 
remainder  of  that  regiment  being  out  in  a  different  direction  to  scout  the  country 
on  the  right  of  the  Warrenton  and  Alexandria  railroad  and  toward  the  Rappa- 
hannock. 

Our  men  being  surprised  and  completely  surrounded,  rallied  in  a  house  close 
at  hand  and  where  a  sharp  fight  ensued.  Our  men  defended  themselves  as  long 
as  their  ammunition  lasted,  notwithstanding  the  rebels  built  a  large  fire  about 
the  house,  of  hay  and  straw  and  brushwood.  The  flames  reaching  the  house 
and  their  ammunition  being  entirely  expended  they  were  obliged  to  surrender. 
At  this  juncture  a  portion  of  the  Fifth  Regiment  New  York  Cavalry  which  was 
posted  in  the  rear  some  distance  from  the  First  Virginia  Cavalry  came  to  their 
rescue,  making  a  very  brilliant  charge,  which  resulted  in  the  complete  annihila 
tion  of  Mosby's  command  and  recaptured  our  men  and  property.  Our  men 
pursued  the  rebels  in  every  direction,  killing  and  wounding  a  large  number,  and 
had  our  horses  been  in  better  condition  and  not  tired  out  by  the  severe  service 
of  the  last  few  days,  Mosby  nor  a  single  one  of  his  men  would  not  have  escaped. 

The  rebel  loss  was  very  heavy,  their  killed  being  strewn  along  the  road  from 
Warrenton  Junction  to  Warrenton,  and  besides  these  many  were  immediately 
removed  from  the  fields  and  woods  by  the  citizens  in  that  vicinity. 

The  citizens  report  having  seen  a  great  many  of  Mosby's  men  who  were 
wounded  in  the  beginning  of  the  engagement  crawling  through  the  woods  seek 
ing  shelter  and  hiding  places. 

We  have  thus  far  captured  only  30  prisoners  and  40  horses  ;  16  of  the 
prisoners  were  badly  wounded  and  were  sent  with  the  rest  to  the  provost-mar 
shal  at  Alexandria. 

Among  the  killed  of  the  rebels  is  Templeton,  the  notorious  spy,  and  among 


,  MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  59 

While  the  prisoners  were  sitting-  on  the  green  at  Upper- 
ville,  after  the  return  from  the  raid,  talking  with  the  men 
around  them,  the  subject  of  their  conversation  being  the 
fighting  qualities  of  the  different  regiments,  one  of  our  men 
said : 

"  Every  one  thinks  his  own  regiment  the  best,  but  I  have 
a  very  poor  opinion  of  the  First  Virginia  Cavalry." 

Mosby,  overhearing  the  remark,  said : 

"  What  do  you  want  to  talk  that  way  to  prisoners  for  ?" 

Then,  turning  to  the  prisoners,  he  added  : 

<{  You  all  fight  as  well  as  we  want  to  have  you  fight." 

the  wounded  and  captured  is  Dick  Moran,  Mosby's  leading  man,  Capt.  S.  P. 
Dushane  and  Lieut.  (T.  M.)  Grigsby,  and  Samuel  (L.)  Underwood. 

The  loss  on  our  side  in  killed  is  2  privates  ;  in  wounded  5  officers  and  10 
privates,  a  list  of  which  is  enclosed. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  recommending  to  your  notice  the  officers  and  men  who 
so  gallantly  repulsed  and  totally  destroyed  this  rebel  force,  and  particularly  I 
would  mention  Col.  De  Forest,  Major  Hammond,  Capt.  Krom,  Capt.  Penfield, 
Capt.  McMaster,  and  Lieuts.  Munson  and  McBride,  of  the  Fifth  New  York 
Cavalry  ;  Major  Steele,  Capt.  Harris  and  Capt.  McCoy,  of  the  First  (West) 
Virginia  Cavalry,  and  Capt.  Bean,  of  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry. 


Report  of  Brigadier  General  John  J,  Abercrombie,   U.  S.  A. 

HEADQUARTERS  ABERCROMBIE'S  DIVISION, 

Centreville,  May  4,  1863. 

CAPTAIN  :  The  following  information  obtained  from  Colonel  Blunt,  Twelfth 
Vermont,  commanding  infantry  on  the  line  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Rail 
road  is  respectfully  submitted  for  the  information  of  the  Major  General  com 
manding  : 

Between  the  hours  of  9  and  10  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  inst.  an 
outpost  of  the  First  Virginia  (Union)  Cavalry,  at  Warrenton  Junction,  number 
ing  about  100  men,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Krepps'  command,  were  surprised  and 
attacked  by  Major  Mosby,  with  his  force  of  about  125  men.  The  men  of  the 
First  (West)  Virginia,  were  scattered  about  the  station,  their  horses  being  for 
the  most  part  unsaddled  in  order  to  be  groomed  and  fed.  Mosby's  force 
came  in  upon  them  from  the  direction  of  Warrenton,  which  place  they  left  at 
daylight.  Their  front  rank  was  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  U.  S.  soldiers,  and 
they  were  supposed  to  be  a  force  of  Union  cavalry  until  within  a  short  distance 
when  they  charged  and  surrounded  the  house,  in  and  about  which  the  First 
(West)  Virginia  lay.  After  a  short  fight  in  which  several  of  the  rebels  were 
killed  and  wounded  the  men  of  the  First  (West)  Virginia,  for  the  most  part,  had 


6o  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Raiding  parties  of  Federals,  both  cavalry  and  infantry, 
were  constantly  scouring-  the  country  in  all  directions  in 
search  of  Mosby.  On  their  way,  these  raiders  gathered  up 
all  the  horses  and  cattle  they  could  find,  killed  the  farmers' 
stock  and  poultry,  and  plundered  and  destroyed  private 
property.  Inoffensive  citizens,  sometimes  old  and  feeble 
men,  were  taken  off,  exhibited  as  "  Mosby's  Men,"  guerrillas, 
or  bushwhackers,  imprisoned  for  months,  and  finally  released, 
without  knowing  why  they  were  taken.  In  consequence  of 
these  practices,  as  soon  as  a  raiding  party  commenced  its 
march  through  the  country,  everything  was  in  a  state  of 
excitement.  The  men  and  boys  hurried  off  to  the  moun 
tains,  or  to  secluded  spots  with  the  horses  and  cattle,  notify 
ing  their  neighbors  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Within 
doors  all  was  bustle.  Everything  of  value  was  hidden  away 
in  places  most  likely  to  escape  the  scrutiny  of  a  search. 
Meanwhile  the  soldiers,  who  were  the  least  troubled  on  such 
occasions,  mounted  their  horses  and  were  secure  in  the 
mountains,  or  they  combined  for  defense  or  attack,  as  op 
portunity  might  offer. 

surrendered,  and  about  40  were  being  taken  towards  Warrenton  by  their  cap 
tors,  when  a  detachment  of  70  men  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  which  was 
camped  near  by,  under  command  of  Major  Hammond,  came  up,  charged 
upon  the  rebels,  and  a  running  fight  ensued,  which  was  continued  for  five  miles, 
in  course  of  which  all  the  prisoners  taken  by  Mosby  were  recaptured,  with  the 
exception  of  two.  Three  rebels  were  killed  on  the  spot,  among  them  one  shown 
by  passes  found  on  his  person  to  be  Templeton,  a  notorious  scout  and  spy. 
Seventeen  rebels  were  wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  among  them  2  captains,  i 
lieutenant,  and  Dick  Moran,  rebel  spy.  Six  were  taken  uninjured,  making  23 
prisoners.  Moran  and  several  others  were  mortally  wounded.  Our  loss  was — 
of  the  First  (West)  Virginia,  Major  Steele,  mortally  wounded  ;  Captain  McCoy, 
slightly  wounded  :  I  private  killed  and  9  men  wounded.  Of  the  Fifth  New 
York,  Captain  Krom,  badly,  and  Lieutenant  McBride  and  Munson,  slightly 
wounded.  Mosby  is  reported  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  His  force  was  pursued 
through  Warrenton,  scattered  with  the  exception  of  about  20  men,  and  a  num 
ber  now  are  supposed  to  have  been  wounded  who  escaped  capture. 

About  30  of  Mosby's  horses  were  taken.  Three  men  of  the  Twelfth  Ver 
mont  were  captured  near  their  camp,  but  escaped.  A  party  of  the  First  Vermont 
Cavalry,  Major  Hall,  commanding,  joined  in  the  pursuit  but  were  not  engaged 
in  the  skirmish.  The  prisoners  were  sent  in  by  railroad  at  6  p.  m. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  J.  ABERCROMBIE,  Brig.  Gen.  Commanding 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


61 


Persons  misled  by  a  false  alarm,  or  some  even  in  a  spirit 
of  mischief,  would  at  times  send  out  the  warning  cry  of 
"  The  Yankees  are  coming  ! ''  when  there  were  no  grounds 
for  such  reports.  On  these  occasions,  however,  there  would 


be  the  same  activity  dis 
play  ed  and  the  same 
confusion  existing  as  in 
cases  of  real  danger. 

On  the  6th  of  May, 
1863,  Major  Mosby,  Ed- 
win  Rowzee  and  myself 
were  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
George  S.  Ayre,  near 
A  FEDERAL  RAIDING  PARTY.  Upperville.  Dinner  was 

just  over  and  we  remained  sitting  around  when  our  host 
came  into  the  room  and  said,  "  Major,  the  Yankees  are  com 
ing  ! "  Mosby  picked  up  his  hat  and  pistols,  mounted  his 


62  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

horse,  which  stood  saddled  at  the  stile,  and  rode  off.  Row- 
zee  and  I  started  for  the  stable  to  get  our  horses,  but  before 
we  reached  it  heard  firing  in  the  woods  at  Blakeley's  Grove, 
about  a  mile  from  the  house.  We  halted  and  in  a  few  mo 
ments  saw  a  blue-coat  skirmish  line  on  the  crest  of  a  hill 
opposite,  and  soon  a  body  of  infantry  came  in  view.  We 
concealed  ourselves  behind  a  stone  fence  and  crept  along, 
watching  them  as  they  -moved  towards  Upperville.  A  farm 
bell  which  was  used  to  call  the  hands  from  the  fields  to  the 
house  was  sounded  at  this  time,  and  the  Federal  infantry, 
evidently  thinking  it  a  signal,  halted  and  drew  up  in  line. 

Rowzee  and  I  hastened  back  to  the  house,  where  we  were 
told  there  had  been  a  fight  in  the  woods  and  a  number  of 
wounded  men  were  there.  We  threw  off  our  coats  and 
jumped  into  an  ox-cart  which  stood  near  by,  and  with  a 
negro  driver  hurried  off  to  the  scene  of  the  fight.  As  we 
neared  the  place  a  Federal  cavalryman  rode  up  and  said  : 
"  Are  there  any  rebels  in  the  neighborhood  ?  "I  don't 
know,"  said  I.  He  said  they  had  been  attacked  by  about 
150  rebels.  In  the  woods  we  found  5  wounded,  and  in  the 
road  i  man  and  2  horses  killed.  The  main  body  had  gone 
towards  Upperville,  while  a  few  had  been  left  to  look  after 
the  wounded,  who  were  taken  temporarily  to  the  school- 
house  at  the  grove.  One  of  the  Federals  was  very  commu 
nicative.  He  told  me  they  had  2  killed  and  6  wounded  ;  that 
among  the  wounded  were  Lieutenants  Boyd  and  Wyckoff 
of  the  First  New  York  Cavalry,  and  Lieutenant  Hawkins  of 
the  Sixth  Maryland. 

From  conversation  with  the  Federal  soldiers  and  the 
account  given  me  by  our  own  men  who  were  in  the  fight,  I 
learned  that  at  this  time  the  First  New  York  Cavalry,  the 
Sixth  Maryland  and  Sixty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry 
were  camped  at  Berryville.  That  on  the  night  of  the  5th 
of  May,  the  Sixty-seventh  Pennsylvania,  about  400  men, 
under  Colonel  Staunton,  set  a  trap  to  catch  Mosby, 

They  had  captured  a  few  skiffs  at  Front  Royal,  which  they 
had  brought  down  the  Shenandoah  River  to  Castleman's 
Ferry  for  the  purpose  of  ferrying  the  infantry  across.  They 
were  accompanied  by  about  20  cavalry  under  Lieutenants 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS.  63 

Boyd  and  Wyckoff,  who  rode  a  little  in  advance  with  orders 
that  in  the  event  of  their  meeting  "  Mosby 's  Men,"  a 
trooper  was  to  gallop  back  and  notify  the  infantry,  who 
were  to  conceal  themselves  ;  the  cavalry,  after  skirmishing, 
were  to  retreat  and  draw  Mosby  into  the  ambuscade. 

Leaving  a  small  force  as  guard  at  the  Ferry,  they 
marched  through  Snicker's  Gap.  Near  Blakeley's  Grove, 
between  Bloomfield  and  Upper- 
ville,  the  cavalry  were  charged 
by  15  of  "  Mosby's  Men,"  and 
running  back  to  the  infantry 
were  received  by  a  volley  of 
musketry.  The  infantry  were 
so  exciied  they  did  not  wait 
for  the  Confederates  to  come 
up,  but  fired  on  their  own  men. 

Only  one  of  "  Mosby's  Men  " 
(Robert  Gray)  was  slightly 
wounded,  for  discovering  the 
"  trap  "  in  time,  they  wheeled 
their  horses  and  were  soon  out 
of  range. 

The  Federals  made  but  a 
short  stay  in  Upperville,  and  F-  F-  BOWEN'  co  B- 

f    A ,  From  a  photograph  taken  in  1864, 

returning  to  the  scene  of  the 

recent  conflict,  gathered  up  their  wounded  and  recrossed 

the  river. 

The  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad  was  at  this  time 
closely  guarded,  the  army  on  the  Rappahannock  receiving 
all  its  supplies  from  Washington  by  that  route.  Pickets 
were  stationed  at  all  the  principal  bridges  and  exposed 
places,  patrols  were  sent  from  post  to  post,  and  each  train 
was  in  charge  of  a  guard.  Yet  in  spite  of  all  this  vigilance 
Mosby  never  lost  sight  of  the  purpose  for  which  he  was  de 
tailed,  and  neglected  no  opportunity  to  harass  and  annoy 
the  enemy. 

On  Friday,  May  2Qth,  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  com 
mand  at  Patterson's.  A  small  howitzer  which  General 
Stuart  had  sent  Mosby  at  his  request,  was  brought  out,  and 


v  #>'*TI 


64 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


the  men  selected  for  this  branch  of  the  service  were  put 
through  a  drill  by  Lieut.  Samuel  F.  Chapman,  who  had  been 
an  officer  in  the  Dixie  Battery.  Mosby  then  proceeded  to 
Greenwich,  where  a  halt  was  made  for  supper,  after  which 
he  moved  a  few  miles  further  on  and  camped  for  the  night. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  3Oth  a  hurried  march  was 
made  in  the  direction  of  the  railroad,  coming  out  at  a  point 
near  Catlett's  Station.  After  cutting  the  telegraph  wire,  a 
rail  was  unfastened  and  a  wire  attached  to  it,  extended  some 
distance  from  the  road  where  the  patrols  would  not  observe 
it,  while  a  man  concealed  behind  a  tree  stood  ready  to  draw 


CATLETT'S   STATION. 


the  rail  out  of  place  as  soon  as  the  engine  approached,  throw 
ing  it  off  the  track. 

Soon  the  train  came  steaming  along,  but  it  halted  sud 
denly  on  reaching  the  treacherous  rail.  The  little  howitzer 
had  been  placed  in  position  by  Lieutenant  Chapman  and  a 
shot  was  fired  into  the  engine,  while  a  charge  was  made 
upon  the  infantry  guarding  the  train.  The  guard  fired  a 
volley,  and  then,  jumping  from  the  cars,  fled  to  the  woods, 
leaving  the  train  of  eleven  cars  heavily  loaded  with  supplies 
in  possession  of  the  Rangers,  who  took  such  articles  as  they 
fancied  and  then  set  fire  to  the  train. 

As  there  were  cavalry  camps  within  a  mile  on  either  side, 
the  Rangers  knew  they  could  spend  but  little  time  in  plun- 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


65 


dering,  yet  when  mounted  to  return  they  were  well  laden 
with  spoil,  some  with  boxes  of  oranges  or  lemons,  others 
with  sides  of  leather,  or  mail  bags,  or  boxes  of  dainties, 
hastily  picked  up,  either  by  chance  or  from  choice. 

Colonel  Mann,  of  the  Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  who  was 
in  command  of  that  portion  of  Stahel's  Cavalry  at  Bristoe, 
hearing  the  firing,  started  the  Fifth  New  York,  under  Cap 
tain  Hasbrouck,  across  the  country  to  intercept  Mosby, 
while  he  followed  the  railroad  towards  the  burning  train, 
with  the  First  Vermont  and  Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry. 

Mosby  had  marched  but  a  few  miles  when  he  observed 
the  Fifth  New  York  in 
his  front.  Chapman  sent  a 
shell  into  their  ranks  which 
checked  their  advance,  and 
the  command  was  again  start 
ed.  Mosby,  finding  his  pur 
suers  increasing  in  numbers 
(Col.  Mann,  with  the  Seventh 
Michigan,  and  Col  Preston, 
\vith  the  First  Vermont,  hav 
ing  come  up),  determined  to 
make  a  stand  and  sell  his 
gun  dearly. 

Chapman  took  up  a  posi 
tion  near  Grapewood  Farm, 
about  two  miles  from  Greenwich,  at  the  head  of  a  short, 
narrow  lane,  with  a  high  fence  on  either  side.  The  Federals 
coming  up,  charged  in  column  of  fours,  and  at  a  little  over 
fifty  yards  received  a  fire  of  grape  which  killed  3  and 
wounded  7.  Mosby  now  made  a  dashing  charge,  which 
drove  the  enemy  in  confusion.  Twice  they  rallied  and 
each  time  were  driven  back.  Our  men  fought  bravely,  but 
the  odds  were  too  great.  At  last  when  the  ammunition 
was  exhausted,  the  gun  had  to  be  abandoned,  but  only  after 
a  desperate  hand-to-hand  fight. 

General  STAHEL  to  TAYLOR  :  Fairfax  C.  //.,  June  3,  1863. 

I  am  just  in  receipt  of  an  official  report  from  Colonel  Mann,  of  the  recent 
engagement  near  Greenwich.  He  informs  me  that  at  9  a.  m.  on  the  3oth  ult. 


JOHN  H.  CORE,  CO.  D. 

From  photograph  taken  at  beginning  of  the 

war. 


66  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

Mosby  lost  5  men  killed  and  about  20  wounded  and 
prisoners.  Captain  Bradford  Smith  Hoskins,  an  English 
man,  formerly  a  captain  in  the  Forty-fourth  Royal  Infantry 
in  the  Crimean  War,  was  with  Mosby,  and  was  mortally 
wounded.  He  lingered  two  days  and  died  at  the  residence 
of  Mr  Charles  Green,  near  the  scene  of  the  conflict.  He 
was  a  brave  soldier,  and  had  made  many  friends  while  with 
the  command. 


he  heard  from  his  camp  artillery  firing  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton  Junction. 
The  train  for  Bealeton  had  just  passed  up,  and  believing  it  to  have  been 
attacked  he  immediately  went  with  a  detachment  of  the  Fifth  New  York,  under 
command  of  Captain  A.  H.  Hasbrouck,  a  detachment  of  the  First  Vermont, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Preston,  and  a  small  detachment  of  the 
Seventh  Michigan.  The  detachment  of  the  Fifth  New  York  was  sent  directly 
across  the  country  in  order  to  Intercept  the  rebels,  while  the  balance  of  the 
command  went  directly  to  the  scene  of  action.  The  advance  of  the  Fifth  New 
York,  led  by  Lieut.  Elmer  Barker,  came  up  with  the  enemy  first,  and  found 
them  with  a  howitzer  posted  on  a  hill,  with  the  cavalry  drawn  up  in  line  in  the 
rear  to  support  it.  Lieutenant  Barker,  with  his  small  detachment  of  about  25 
men,  dashed  up  the  hill,  and  when  within  about  50  yards  of  the  gun,  received  a 
charge  of  grape  and  canister,  which  killed  3  and  wounded  7  of  our  men  and 
several  horses.  The  enemy  then  charged  upon  us,  but  were  met  with  stub 
born  resistance  by  the  Lieutenant  and  his  men,  although  the  Lieutenant  had 
received  two  grape  shot  in  his  thigh.  We  were,  however,  overpowered  and 
driven  back  a  short  distance.  Just  then  Colonel  Preston,  of  the  First  Ver 
mont  (Lieutenant  Hazleton,  with  Companies  H  and  C,  being  in  advance),  came 
up  at  a  full  charge  upon  their  flank  and  were  again  received  with  a  discharge 
from  the  howitzer  of  grape  and  canister.  Our  men  pressed  on,  however,  until 
they  came  to  a  hand-to-hand  conflict,  when  the  enemy  gradually  fell  back.  We 
took  their  howitzer  and  they  fled  in  every  direction. 

Colonel  Mann  pursued  the  rebels  until  his  horses  were  completely  tired  out, 
he  having  been  obliged  to  ride  at  full  speed  before  overtaking  them,  and  then, 
after  collecting  his  dead  and  wounded,  returned  to  camp. 

Our  loss  was  4  killed  and  15  wounded,  the  names  of  which  please  find 
enclosed.  We  lost  also  n  horses  killed  and  several  wounded.  None  of  our 
men  are  missing.  The  force  engaged  on  our  side  was  170.  The  rebels  had, 
as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  200  men,  besides  his  gun. 

Capt.  B.  S.  Haskins,  of  the  rebel  army,  formerly  of  the  British  army,  and 
Lieutenant  Chapman,  formerly  of  the  U.  S.  Regulars,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  howitzer,  were  so  badly  wounded  that  they  could  not  be  removed.  They 
were  consequently  paroled.  Captain  Haskins  has  since  died. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  6  killed  and  20  wounded,  besides  many  others 
severely  wounded,  who  escaped  in  the  woods. 

We  have  10  prisoners  and  many  carbines  and  pistols;  the  number  Colonel 
Mann  did  not  state. 

I  desire  again  to  recommend  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  Major- 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS.  67 

Lieut.  Samuel  F.  Chapman,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  gun, 
was  so  badly  wounded  that  he  could  not  be  removed,  and 
was  paroled  on  the  field.  Beattie  and  Montjoy  stood  by  the 
gun  until  surrounded  and  captured. 

Mosby  came  out  of  the  fight  hatless,  and  his  horse  ran 
against  a  tree  with  him,  bruising  his  face. 


General  commanding  the  officers  and  men  engaged  in  this  fight,  in  which  they 
all  displayed  such  great  valor. 

The  dead  and  wounded  have  all  been  brought  in  to  this  place,  and  the 
wounded  are  doing  well  in  the  hospitals  attached  to  their  respective  brigades. 

Colonel  Mann  reports  that  had  the  guards  on  the  train  offered  the  slightest 
resistance  the  train  might  have  been  saved.  They  could  have  detained  the 
enemy  until  our  cavalry  came  up  and  also  reinforcements  from  the  battalion  of 
infantry  which  was  at  Catlett's  Station. 


Report  of  Colonel  Mann,   Seventh  Michigan   Cavalry. 

NEAR  GREENWICH,  2  p.  rn.( 
Via   Union  Mills,  May  30,  1863. 
MANN  to  STAHEL  : 

SIR  :  Mosby,  with  200  men  and  one  howitzer,  attacked  our  train  near  Cat 
lett's  ;  guard  fled  ;  Mosby  burned  train.  Heard  firing  in  camp  and  went  in 
search  with  First  Vermont,  Fifth  New  York  and  a  detachment  of  Seventh  Mich 
igan.  Came  up  with  Mosby  in  strong  position  two  miles  southwest  of  Green 
wich  and  charged  him.  He  gave  us  grape  ;  boys  never  faltered  ;  took  his  gun. 
Captain  Haskins  mortally  wounded,  and  Lieutenant  Chapman  severely 
wounded,  and  also  several  privates.  Our  loss,  4  killed,  and  I  officer,  Lieu 
tenant  Barker,  and  7  enlisted  men  wounded.  Several  horses  killed. 

The  rebels  scattered  in  the  thickets  and  in  the  mountains.  We  shall  return 
to  camp  as  soon  as  the  wounded  and  dead  are  cared  for. 

Engine  is  not  much  damaged  ;  train  destroyed.  A  strong  patrol  from  my 
command  had  passed  the  very  spot  but  one  hour  before  and  were  but  three 
miles  distant  at  the  time  and  came  promptly  up.  No  other  news.  Full  report 
by  mail. 

Bristoe  Station,  May  31,  1863. 

Colonel  MANN  to  Major  BALDWIN  :  Returned  at  dark,  bringing  in  our  can 
non  and  all  our  dead  and  wounded.  The  wounded  number  15  on  our  side.  It 
was  an  extremely  hot  affair  for  a  small  one;  many  of  the  wounds  very  severe. 
Our  captures  of  the  day  are  10  prisoners,  including  Captain  Haskins,  an  Eng 
lish  officer  of  7  years'  service,  now  in  the  Confederate  service,  and  Lieutenan 
Chapman,  who  had  charge  of  the  artillery.  Both  these  officers  so  severely 
wounded  could  not  be  removed  and  were  paroled.  I  sent  in  prisoners  by  train 
to-day. 

The  enemy  lost  heavy  in  wounded,  as  they  received  a  terrific  fire  from 
revolvers  at  close  range,  followed  by  a  determined  sabre  charge.  Many  were 
severely  cut  with  sabre,  but  clung  to  their  horses  and  fell  back  into  the  thicket. 


68 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


George  Turberville  made  his  appearance  with  a  bunch  of 
fresh  fish,  which  he  had  brought  from  the  captured  train  and 
carried  safely  through  the  desperate  fight. 

Our  horses  were  completely  blown  when  we  had  overtaken  the  enemy,  so 
rapid  had  been  our  pursuit,  and  after  thoroughly  scattering  them  to  all  points, 
in  that  thick  country  I  found  it  impossible  to  follow  up  with  the  hope  of  catch 
ing  them.  Lieutenant  Barker  has  two  grape  shot  through  thigh,  but  is  quite 
comfortable.  He  crossed  sabres  with  them  and  fought  desperately  after  this 
wound. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

June  to  August,  1863— Company  A  Organized— Engagement  at  Seneca  Mills— Death  of  Captain 
Brawner  and  Lieutenant  Whitescarver— Mosby  penetrates  the  Federal  Lines  and  Captures 
Two  Officers  of  Hooker's  Staff— Alone,  he  brings  out  Two  Prisoners— Great  Cavalry  Battle 
near  Upperville— "  Bushwhacked  "  near  Ewell's  Chapel  and  Three  of  "  Mosby 's  Men" 
Wounded — General  Lee  in  Pennsylvania — Mosby  in  Pennsylvania— Lee  Falls  Back  after  the 
Battle  of  Gettysburg — Meade  Follows  through  Loudoun — "  Mosby's  Men  "  in  the  Midst  of 
the  Federal  Army — Skirmishing  in  the  Front  and  picking  up  Sutlers  in  the  Rear— Daring 
Dashes  and  Exciting  Scenes— Prison  Camp  in  the  Bull  Run  Mountains— Capture  of 
Trains  in  Fairfax— Fight  at  Gooding's  Tavern— Mosby  Wounded. 

On  the  morning  of  the  loth  of  June,  1 863,  at  a  meeting  held 
at  Rector's  X  Roads,  on  the  turnpike,  four  miles  west  of 
Middleburg,  the  command  was  for  the  first  time  regularly 
organized,  and  as  Company  A,  Forty-third  Battalion  Partisan 
Rangers,  elected  James  William  Foster,  Captain  ;  Thomas 
Turner,  of  Maryland,  First  Lieutenant ;  W.  L.  Hunter, 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  George  H.  Whitescarver,  Third 
Lieutenant. 

After  the  election,  joined  by  Captain  Brawner's  Company, 
Prince  William  Cavalry,  Mosby  moved  off  in  the  direction 
of  the  Potomac.  He  struck  the  river  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  nth,  at  a  ford  one  mile  below  Seneca.  Joseph  H. 
Nelson,  Alfred  Glasscock  and  William  Trunnel  were  first 
sent  across  and  captured  the  picket,  after  which  the  com 
mand  crossed  the  river  to  attack  a  camp  of  the  Sixth 
Michigan  Cavalry  at  Seneca  Mills.  Mosby  dashed  up  the 
tow  path,  while  the  Federals  fell  back  and  took  up  their 
position  behind  the  bridge  near  the  Mill,  and  along  the 
creek,  which  was  bordered  by  trees  and  underbrush.  We 
charged  over  the  bridge,  the  enemy  giving  way,  but  in  a 
deep  cut  in  the  road  a  sharp  hand  to  hand  fight  took  place. 
Captain  Brawner  and  Lieutenant  Whitescarver  were  killed, 
and  Alfred  Glasscock  and  William  Hibbs  wounded.  John 
Ballard,  seeing  Captain  Brawner  fall,  rode  up  to  the  Federal 
soldier  who  killed  him,  and  cutting  him  over  the  head  with 
his  sabre,  knocked  him  from  his  horse. 

69 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


After  routing  the  Federals,  Mosby  returned  to  Seneca, 
destroyed  the  camp,  and  recrossed  the  river,  bringing  off  17 
prisoners,  23  horses  and  5  mules. 

The  Sixth  Michigan  lost  4  killed  and  a  number  wounded.  l 


1  Report  of  Major  John    S,   Mosby, 

Virginia  Partisan  Rangers, 
Middleburg,  June  10  (llth],  1863. 

GENERAL  :  I  left  our  point  of  ren 
dezvous  yesterday  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  night  attack  on  two  cavalry 
companies  of  the  enemy  on  the  Mary 
land  shore.  Had  I  succeeded  in 
crossing  the  river  at  night,  as  I  ex 
pected,  I  would  have  had  no  difficulty 
in  capturing  them;  but  unfortunately, 
my  guide  mistook  the  road,  and, 
instead  of  crossing  about  II  o'clock 
at  night,  I  did  not  get  over  until  after 
daylight. 

The  enemy  (between  80  and  100 
strong),  being  apprised  of  my  move 
ment,  were  formed  to  receive  me. 
A  charge  was  ordered,  the  shock  of 
which  the  enemy  could  not  resist,  and 
they  were  driven  several  miles  in 
confusion,  with  the  loss  of  7  killed,  a 
considerable  number  wounded  and 
17  prisoners  ;  also,  2o-odd  horses  or 
more.  We  burned  their  tents,  stores, 
camp  equipage,  etc. 

I  regret  the  loss  of  two  brave  officers  killed,  Captain   Brawner  and  Lieut. 
[Geo.  H.]  Whitescarver.     I  also  had  one  man  wounded. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.   S.   MOSBY,  Major  Partisan  Rangers. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION,  ) 
June  16,  1863.       \ 

Respectfully  forwarded.     In  consideration  of  his  brilliant  services,  I  hope 
the  President  will  promote  Major  Mosby. 

J.    E.    B.   STUART,   Major-General. 


CAPT.  JAMES  W.  FOSTER,  CO.  A. 

Familiarly  known  as  Captain  "WILLIE"  FOSTER 
From  a  photograph  taken  after  the  war. 


Report  of  Col.  Albert  B.  Jewett,  Tenth  Vermont  Infantry,  Commanding  Brigade. 

Camp  Heintzelman,  June  20,  1863. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  loth  (nth)  instant  about  250  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  crossed  the  Potomac  River,  Muddy  Branch,  at  daybreak. 

The  enemy  dashed  rapidly  up  the  canal,  driving  in  the  patrols  and  attacked 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  71 

On  the  night  of  Thursday,  June  i8th,  while  Hooker's 
army  was  in  motion,  Mosby,  accompanied  by  Joseph  H. 
Nelson,  Norman  Smith,  and  Charles  L.  Hall,  penetrated  the 
Federal  lines,  and  at  Birch's  house  on  the  pike  below  Aldie, 
captured  two  Federal  officers  and  an  orderly2.  One  of  the 

Captain  Dean's  Company,  I,  Sixth  Michigan  Cavalry,  on  duty  at  Seneca  Locks. 

Captain  Dean  fell  back  toward  Poolesville,  forming  line  three  times,  and 
only  retreating  when  nearly  surrounded. 

The  enemy  followed  to  within  three  miles  of  Poolesville,  when  he  rapidly 
retired,  destroying  the  camp  of  Captain  Dean  and  recrossing  the  river  at  the 
point  where  he  had  crossed. 

Our  loss  was  4  men  killed,  I  man  wounded  and  16  men  missing.  The  men 
above  reported  "missing"  are  men  who  were  absent  from  Captain  Dean's 
camp  doing  patrol  duty  along  the  canal,  along  a  line  extending  to  Muddy 
Branch,  more  than  13  miles  from  my  headquarters,  and  were  not  reported  by 
me  in  my  telegraphic  despatches  because  they  were  not  then  considered  to  be 
properly  "missing,"  in  the  absence  of  any  information  to  that  effect.  The 
enemy  left  killed  on  the  field  their  commanding  officers,  Capt.  [W.  G.]  Brawner 
and  his  second  lieutenant. 

HEADQUARTERS  FIFTH  NEW  YORK  CAVALRY, 

Kettle  Run,  June  13,  1863. 
Colonel  DE  FOREST,  Fairfax  C.  H.  : 

COLONEL  :  Returned  last  night  at  up.  m.  with  one  captain  and  six  men  of 
Mosby's  command  and  ten  horses. 

Mosby  returned  from  raid  in   Maryland  about  2  p.  m.  on  the    nth.     He 
brought  17  prisoners  of  the  Sixth  Michigan  and  dispersed  his  men  at  Middle- 
burg  four  hours  before  the  telegram  was  written  ordering  us  in  pursuit  of  him. 
He  is  reported  to  have  had  no  men,  but  no  artillery. 
The  prisoners  will  be  sent  in  by  first  train. 

J.    HAMMOND,  Major  Commanding  Detachment. 


2  Federal  Report. 

HEADQUARTERS  PICKET  RESERVE, 

•      June  18,  1863. 
Lieut.  JOHN  M.  CLARK,  Acting  Assist.  A.  G. : 

In  accordance  with  directions  from  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  brigade 
I  report  the  facts  in  regard  to  the  capture  of  Major  [William  R.]  Sterling  and 
Captain  Fisher,  as  related  to  me  by  the  people  of  the  house  where  they  were 
taken.  Major  Sterling  and  Captain  Fisher  were  on  their  way  to  communicate 
with  General  Pleasonton  when  they  halted  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  [Almond] 
Birch  for  supper  and  to  inquire  how  far  it  was  to  Aldie.  Having  finished  their 
supper  they  started  for  their  horses  which  were  left  with  their  orderly  at  the 
yard  gate.  The  horses  and  orderly  had  been  removed,  and  before  Major  Ster 
ling  and  Captain  Fisher  had  reached  the  gate  10  or  12  cavalrymen  seized  them 
and  hurriedly  mounted  them  and  bore  them  off.  This  took  place  last  evening 
at  10  o'clock,  about  400  yards  from  the  picket  outpost  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Birch 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


officers  was  Captain  Fisher,  a  signal  officer,  and  the  other, 
Major  Sterling,  who  was  the  bearer  of  important  despatches 
from  Hooker  to  Pleasonton,  at  Aldie,  giving  information  as 
to  his  (Hooker's)  plans,  with  his  letter  of  instructions  to 
Pleasonton.  These  Mosby  placed  in  the  hands  of  Norman 
Smith,  and  by  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  ipth,  Smith 
had  delivered  them  to  General  Stuart,  who  made  the  fol 
lowing  mention  in  his  report  : 

"Major  Mosby, with 
his  usual  daring,  pen 
etrated  the  enemy's 
lines  and  caught  a 
staff  officer  of  Gen 
eral  Hooker,  bearer 
of  despatches  to  Gen 
eral  Pleasonton,  com 
manding  U.S.Cavalry 
near  Aldie.  These 
dispatches  disclosed 
the  fact  that  Hooker 
was  looking  to  Aldie 
with  solicitude ;  that 
Pleasonton  with  in 
fantry  and  cavalry 
occupied  the  place, 
and  that  a  reconnois- 
sance  in  force,  of  cav 
alry,  was  meditated 
toward  Warrenton 
and  Culpeper." 


MAJOR-GENERAL  JOSEPH  HOOKER,  U.  S.  A. 
From  a  photograph  taken  during  the  war. 


on  the  Little  River  turnpike. 
Mr.  Birch  and  family  are 
from  Clifton  Park,  Saratoga 
County,  New  York.  They 

are  Union  people,  known  to  some  of  the  officers  of  our  regiment.  I  am  satis 
fied  that  these  people  had  no  complicity  with  this  affair,  and  had  no  knowledge 
of  the  enemy's  being  anywhere  near  their  house.  The  capture  of  these  officers 
appears  to  have  been  as  unexpected  to  the  enemy  as  it  was  to  the  officers 
captured,  since  the  enemy  was  unaware  of  our  forces  being  so  near. 

I  also  report  that  I  have  re-established  the  picket  line  in  some  respects  since 
coming  upon  duty  this  morning,  so  as  among  other  points  to  include  the  house 
of  Mr.  Birch.  All  is  quiet  upon  the  line. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  C.   RICE,    Colonel  Commanding  Outposts. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  73 

Sending  Nelson  and  Hall  off  with  the  prisoners,  Mosby 
proceeded  alone  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Potomac, 
gathered  all  the  information  he  could  concerning  the  loca 
tion,  strength  and  movements  of  Hooker's  forces,  and  started 
on  his  return. 

He  stopped  at  a  farm  house  (Mr.  John  Coleman's),  for  the 
purpose  of  making  some  inquiries,  when  hearing  a  noise  in 
his  rear,  he  turned  and  perceived  two  Federal  cavalrymen 
picking  cherries  from  a  tree.  Riding  to  where  the  two  men 
were  standing,  he  asked,  "  What  regiment  do  you  belong 
to  ?  "  The  waterproof  which  Mosby  had  thrown  over  his 
shoulders  to  protect  him  from  the  drizzling  rain,  hid  his 
gray  uniform,  and  the  cavalrymen,  not  suspecting  who  he 
was,  answered  that  they  were  from  the  Fifth  New  York. 
He  told  them  who  he  was  and  demanded  their  surrender. 
As  they  were  unarmed  and  had  only  straggled  from  their 
camp  near  by,  there  was  no  alternative  and  they  yielded. 

Coming  in  sight  of  the  pike  he  discovered  a  long  train 
of  Avagons  passing,  guarded  by  Federal  cavalry.  Turn 
ing  to  his  prisoners,  he  told  them  he  was  in  a  tight  place 
and  meant  to  get  out ;  that  if  either  showed  the  slight 
est  sign  of  an  intention  to  betray  him  he  would  instantly 
shoot  him.  Having  thus  cautioned  them,  he  tied  their 
horses'  heads  together  to  prevent  their  parting,  and  trot 
ting  along  at  a  brisk  gait,  passed  through  the  train  and 
made  his  way  safely  to  General  Stuart's  headquarters.  The 
train  guards  no  doubt  mistook  Mosby  for  one  of  their  own 
officers  and  the  prisoners  for  his  orderlies  or  escort.  The 
boldness  of  his  action  threw  them  completely  off  their 
guard. 

While  Hooker  was  in  front  of  Washington,  awaiting  the 
advance  of  Lee,  the  latter  was  moving  his  forces  north  by 
way  of  Culpe'per,  thence  across  the  Blue  Ridge  and  down 
the  Valley  to  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  Milroy  was 
driven  out  of  Winchester,  and  the  greatest  excitement  ex 
isted  along  the  border.  The  President  of  the  United  States 
issued  a  proclamation  calling  for  100,000  men  from  the  states 
of  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  West  Virginia  to  re 
pel  the  invasion. 


74 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


The  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  under  General  Lee,  had 
been  reorganized  into  three  Army  Corps ;  the  First  Corps 
under  Lieutenant-General  Longstreet,  the  Second  Corps 
under  Ewell,  and  the  Third  Corps  under  A.  P.  Hill. 

The  Second  Corps,  under  General  Ewell,  the  first  to 
move,  crossed  the  Shenandoah  River,  near  Front  Royal,  on 
the  1 2th  of  June,  1863,  and  was  followed  by  Gen.  A.  P. 
Hill,  with  his  three  divisions,  composing  the  Third  Corps. 

General  Longstreet, 
with  his  Corps  (the 
First),  marched  by 
Ashby's  and  Snicker's 
Gaps  into  the  Valley, 
on  the  1 7th  of  June. 

General  Stuart  with 
his  cavalry  covered 
these  movements  and 
guarded  the  approaches 
to  the  Gaps. 

For  several  days  there 
was  sharp  skirmishing 
between  Stuart's  cav 
alry  and  the  Federal 
forces  under  Pleas- 
onton,  who  were  en 
deavoring  to  penetrate 
the  mystery  which  sur 
rounded  the  movements 
of  the  Confederate 
Army.  Baffled  in  his 
efforts,  Pleasonton,  being  heavily  reinforced,  attacked 
Stuart  with  his  entire  force  on  Sunday,  June  2ist. 

The  morning  of  the  2ist  was  cloudy  and  threatening. 
Booming  of  cannon  in  the  direction  of  Middleburg  warned 
us  that  a  fight  was  going  on.  As  the  sounds  approached 
nearer,  mingled  with  the  rattle  of  small  arms,  we  knew  that 
our  cavalry  was  falling  back  towards  Upperville,  where  the 
hardest  of  the  fighting  took  place.  The  battle,  in  which  the 


MAJOR-GENERAL  J.  E.  B.  STUART,  C.  S.  A. 
From  a  photograph  taken  during  the  war. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


75 


whole  of   Pleasonton's  cavalry    was   engaged,  lasted    until 
night,  when  Stuart  fell  back  to  Ashby's  Gap. 

During  the  excitement  of  a  battle  one  does  not  so  fully 
realize  the  terrible  effects  as  when  going  over  the  field  after 
wards.  On  the  morning  after  the  fight  (Monday,  22d)  white 
men  and  negroes  were  engaged  in  burying  the  dead.  One 
poor  fellow  lay  in  a  fence  corner,  his  brains  spattered  over 
the  rails,  while  another  had  one-half  of  his  head  carried 
away  by  a  shell. 
Another  looked  as 
if  calmly  sleeping, 
death  had  come  to 
him  so  quickly.  In 
one  field,  in  front  of 
the  house  at  Ayre- 
shire  (the  residence 
of  Mr.  Geo.  S.  Ayre)> 
where  Stuart  made 
a  desperate  charge 
to  save  his  train  of 
wagons  and  ambu 
lances,  I  counted  31 
dead  horses.  The 
ground  in  many 
places  was  torn  up 
in  great  holes  and 
furrows  by  shot  and 
shell.  Roads  through 
the  fields  in  all  di 
rections,  and  big 
gaps  in  the  stone  fences,  showed  where  the  cavalry  and 
artillery  had  ploughed  through.  The  country  around  pre 
sented  a  scene  of  desolation  ;  wheat  fields  trodden  down 
and  cornfields  in  many  places  looking  as  though  they  had 
never  been  planted.  A  poor  horse  that  had  one  of  its  hind 
legs  shot  away,  had  grazed  around  in  a  circle.  I  thought 
it  an  act  of  mercy  to  put  a  ball  through  the  head  of  the 
suffering  creature. 


MAJOR-GEN.  PLEAS'ONTON,  U.  S.  A. 


76 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


A  little  darkey,  looking  over  the  fence  into  a  clover  field, 
saw  a  fine  cavalry  boot  among  the  clover  and  ran  to  get  it, 
saying  in  great  glee,  "  Oh,  see  what  a  nice  boot  I've  found  !  " 
But  when  he  attempted  to  pick  it  up  and  discovered  that 
there  was  a  foot  and  part  of  a  leg  in  the  boot,  he  was  para 
lyzed  with  fright  for  a  few  seconds ;  but  he  soon  recovered 
the  use  of  his  legs  and  scampered  off  in  a  hurry. 


s 


GATHERING  UP  THE  DEAD  AND  WOUNDED. 

At  this  time  Mosby  crossed  the  Bull  Run  Mountains  with 
a  part  of  the  command,  and  fell  into  an  ambuscade  which 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  77 

had  been  prepared  for  him  near  Swell's  Chapel.3  Mr.  J.  N. 
Ballard,  who  was  severely  wounded  on  that  occasion,  fur 
nished  me  with  the  following  account  of  the  affair  : 

"  On  the  evening  of  June  2ist,  while  Stuart  was  fighting 
Pleasonton  and  graduallv  falling  back  to  Ashby's  Gap, 
Mosby,  with  a  portion  of  his  command,  left  a  point  on  Gen 
eral  Stuart's  right,  not  far  from  Five  Points,  and  passing 
close  to  the  enemy's  left,  reached  the  Bull  Run  Mountains 
near  Landmark.  The  gaps  in  the  mountains  were  in  pos 
session  of  and  well  guarded  by  the  Federal  troops,  and 
Mosby  was  compelled  to  cross  by  a  little  mountain  path. 

3  General  Meade  sent  his  regrets  to  General  Howard  in  the  following  letter  : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIFTH  CORPS, 

June  22,  1863. 
Gen.  O.  O.  HOWARD  : 

I  came  near  catching  our  friend  Mosby  this  morning.  I  had  reliable  intel 
ligence  of  his  expected  passing  a  place  about  four  miles  from  here  at  sunrise. 
I  sent  40  mounted  men  (all  I  had)  and  100  infantry,  who  succeeded  in  posting 
themselves  in  ambush  at  the  designated  spot.  Sure  enough,  Mr.  Mosby,  to 
gether  with  30  of  his  followers,  made  their  appearance  about  sunrise  ;  but  I  re 
gret  to  say,  their  exit  also,  from  what  I  can  learn,  through  the  fault  of  both 
foot  and  horse.  It  appears  Mosby  saw  the  cavalry,  and  immediately  charged 
them.  They  ran — that  is,  my  horses— toward  the  infantry  posted  behind  a 
fence.  The  infantry,  instead  of  rising  and  deliberately  delivering  their  fire, 
fired  lying  on  the  ground,  and  did  not  hit  the  rebels,  who  immediately  scat 
tered  and  dispersed.  Thus  the  prettiest  chance  in  the  world  to  dispose  of  Mr. 
Mosby  was  lost.  Truly  yours, 

GEO.   MEADE,  Major-General. 


Report  of  Capt.  Harvey  Brown,  Fourteenth  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Camp  Near  Alaie,  June  22,  1863. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  in  obedience  to  the  instructions  I  received  this 
morning  from  you  to  take  a  sufficient  force  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  a  cer 
tain  guerrilla  party  which  was  supposed  to  frequent  the  house  of  Dr.  Ewell,  in 
this  vicinity,  that  I  left  the  camp  for  that  object  at'i  a.  m.  with  100  men  and  3 
officers  (Captain  Ilges,  Lieuts.  P.  Collins  and  Douney)  and  30  cavalry  and  3 
officers  of  the  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  proceeded  by  the 
Aldie  and  Thoroughfare  Gap  road  to  a  small  church  near  the  head  waters  of 
Bull  Run,  or  about  4  miles  from  this  camp. 

My  object  was  to  reach  the  point  before  daylight,  but  the  difficulties  I  en 
countered  in  passing  our  picket  lines,  in  addition  to  the  heavy  roads,  prevented 
me  from  accomplishing  my  purpose  until  broad  daylight.  The  country  being 
very  open  I  had  but  little  choice  in  selecting  a  favorable  position.  I  placed 


78  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

The  road  was  rugged  and  the  night  very  dark,  and  by  some 
mishap  a  good  number  of  our  men  lost  their  way  and  had  to 
return,  so  that  there  were  only  about  twenty-five  men  left 
with  Mosby,  who  halted  on  top  of  the  mountain  and  slept 
till  morning.  In  the  valley  the  enemy's  camp  fires  were 
seen  in  every  direction. 

"  Early  next  morning  we  descended  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
mountain  and  passed  through  the  farm  of  Dr.  Ewell.  At  a 
small  house  we  captured  two  Federal  cavalrymen,  who  told 
us  there  was  only  a  small  force  of  cavalry  at  the  church  near 
by.  Coming  in  sight  we  charged  them.  There  was  a  fence 
and  a  gate  between  us,  and  just  as  we  got  through  the  gate  a 
body  of  infantry  who  were  lying  in  ambush  inside  of  and 
around  the  church  gave  us  volley  after  volley.  We  did  not 
see  the  infantry  until  we  got  quite  near  the  church.  Montjoy 
had  a  finger  shot  off ;  Charles  Hall  received  a  ball  in  his 

about  half  my  cavalry  and  a  portion  of  the  infantry  in  the  rear  of  the  church, 
and  at  the  head  of  a  lane  leading  to  Dr.  Ewell's  house,  which  place  it  was  sup 
posed  the  said  party  would  pass.  The  balance  of  my  force  I  stationed  on  the 
left  of  the  above-mentioned  lane  and  facing  toward  the  house.  But  a  short 
time  had  elapsed  after  I  had  made  this  disposition  of  my  forces  until  I  was  in 
formed  by  one  of  my  men  whom  I  had  placed  in  a  tree  that  there  was  a  body 
of  mounted  men  rapidly  approaching.  I  permitted  them  to  advance  within 
pistol  shot,  when  we  commenced  to  exchange  firing,  but  almost  immediately 
they  fell  back  at  full  speed,  and  in  consequence  of  the  rolling  ground  on  our 
front,  they  were  for  a  short  time  hidden  from  our  view.  To  make  a  successful 
charge  under  the  circumstances  was  impossible,  although  we  pursued  the  enemy 
for  about  a  mile,  until  they  found  refuge  in  the  mountains  beyond.  Nothing  was 
then  left  me  but  to  return. 

I  regret  to  state  that  the  efficiency  of  the  cavalry  did  not  in  all  respects  an 
swer  my  expectations.  I  was  also  much  mortified  to  find  that  nearly  one-half 
of  the  guns  of  the  infantry  were  useless  in  consequence  of  defective  ammuni 
tion,  or  for  the  reason  that  they  had  been  damp  before  having  been  loaded, 
caused,  no  doubt,  by  a  shower  we  had  in  the  evening. 

Casualties  :  One  sergeant  killed,  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Cavalry. 

[Indorsement.] 

Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  Commanding  General. 
This  expedition  was  sent  out  by  my  order  on  information  given  by  a  colored 
man,  who  stated  Mosby  had  passed  this  place  the  morning  previous  and  had 
been  overheard  to  tell  Dr.  Ewell  that  he  would  return  at  sunrise  the  next  day. 
The  result  greatly  disappointed  my  expectations,  and  a  court  of  inquiry  called 
at  the  request  of  the  officer  commanding  the  infantry  detachment  will  investi 
gate  the  facts  of  the  case. 

GEO.  G.  MEADE,  Major-General. 


MOSBVS    RANGERS. 


79 


shoulder,  and  I  (Baliard)  was  shot  in  the  leg.  My  horse  had 
an  eye  shot  out  and  became  unmanageable.  The  Federals 
had  one  man  killed  and  several  wounded.  We  then  gal 
loped  back  to  the  mountains  and  the  Federals  did  not 
attempt  to  pursue  us." 

Young  Ballard's  leg  was  crushed  by  the  ball,  and  the 
rough  riding  back  to  the  mountains  made  the  fracture 
worse.  He  was  taken  to  Mr.  Robert  Whitacre's,  near  the 
top  of  the  mountain,  where  his  leg  was  amputated,  and  he 
was  kindly  nursed  and  taken  care 
of  until  he  could  be  moved  to  Ben 
Venue,  the  home  of  Mr.  William 
Ayre.  The  following  winter  he 
was  again  in  the  saddle  and  with 
the  command,  but  had  his  arti 
ficial  leg  crushed  in  a  charge 
with  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards,  on  a 
Federal  camp  near  Halltown. 
He  afterwards  came  in  possess 
ion  of  the  leg  of  Col.  Ulric  Dahl- 
gren4,  with  which  he  was  enabled 
to  continue  in  active  service  to 
the  end. 

On  the  2/th  of  June  Hooker 
was  relieved  from  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and 
Meade  was  appointed  his  suc 
cessor. 

Sunday ^  June  28th. — The  command  met  at  Glasscock's 
Burnt  House,  4  miles  from  Upperville,  and  about  noon 
Mosby,  with  about  50  men,  started  for  the  Valley.  We 
crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  at  Snicker's  Gap  and  thence  to  the 
Potomac  River,  near  Hancock,  where  we  crossed  on  the 
morning  of  July  ist,  passing  through  Maryland  into  Frank 
lin  county,  Pennsylvania. 

It  was  Mosby's  intention  to  join  General  Lee  in  Pennsyl- 

4  Colonel  Ulric  Dahlgren,  son  of  Admiral  Dahlgren,  U.  S.  N.,  was  killed 
March  3,  1864,  in  his  raid  on  Richmond,  with  the  Federal  cavalry  under 
Kilpatrick. 


JOHN  N.  BALLARD,  CO.  A. 

From  a  photograph  taken  in  the  early 

part  of  the  war. 


8o  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

vania,  but  when  we  reached  Mercersburg,  where  we  ex 
pected  to  find  a  portion  of  the  army,  it  had  moved.  Our 
number  being  so  small,  and  as  we  were  ignorant  of  the 
country  as  well  as  of  the  position  of  our  army,  Mosby 
determined  to  return  to  Virginia,  which  he  did,  but  not 
until  he  had  gathered  up  218  head  of  cattle,  15  horses  and 
12  negroes.  Returning  through  Washington  county,  Mary 
land,  we  recrossed  the  Potomac  without  interruption. 

On  this  trip  to  Pennsylvania  I  rode  with  Ames  ("  Big 
Yankee").  As  we  crossed  the  line  into  Pennsylvania  he 
said :  "  Well,  I  am  going  with  you,  but  I  will  not  fire  a  shot. 
When  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  was  issued  and  I  saw 
the  war  was  for  the  negro  and  not  for  the  Union,  I  joined 
the  South,  and  am  willing  to  fight  to  repel  the  invasion  of 
her  soil,  and  am  willing  to  give  my  life  in  her  defense,  but  I 
will  not  fight  on  Northern  soil." 

As  we  were  driving  the  cattle  along  towards  the  Mary 
land  line,  an  old  lady  said  to  Ames,  in  a  voice  whose  tones  ex 
pressed  more  forcibly  than  words  the  bitterness  of  her  heart : 

"  Well,  now,  you've  got  them,  but  my  earnest  prayer  is 
that  you  may  not  get  across  the  river  with  them." 

"  Old  lady,"  said  Ames,  "  did  you  ever  hear  of  Mosby  ?" 

"Yes,"  she  replied. 

"  Well,  these  are  Mosby 's  men." 

The  old  lady's  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  prayer  seemed 
somewhat  shaken  at  this  announcement,  for  she  abruptly 
turned  away,  saying : 

"  Oh,  then,  you'll  get  off  safe  enough,  I'll  be  bound  !" 

About  the  middle  of  July  Lee's  Army  fell  back  from 
Maryland  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  was  followed 
by  Meade,  who  crossed  the  Potomac  and  advanced  through 
Loudoun  County. 

The  result  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  proved  a  great 
disappointment  to  the  hopes  of  the  Southern  people,  who 
had  thought  to  transfer  the  field  of  warlike  operations 
from  the  South  to  Northern  territory,  and  the  failure, 
together  with  the  disasters  at  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson, 
cast  a  shadow  over  the  Confederacy. 

After   passing   the   night   in  the    woods    at  Hathaways, 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  8 1 

Mosby  and  ten  men  were  joined  by  as  many  more  on  the 
morning  of  July  2Oth,  and  with  this  force  we  started  for 
Five  Points,  near  Rectortown,  knowing  we  would  pick 
up  more  men  as  we  moved  on.  At  the  Five  Points  we 
halted  and  grazed  our  horses,  while  the  Major  and  two  men 
rode  out  towards  Rector's  Cross  Roads,  where  the  advance 
of  the  Federal  cavalry  had  camped  the  night  before,  to  see 
if  they  were  preparing  to  move.  Very  soon  the  two  men 
came  galloping  in,  calling  out : 

"  Mount  your  horses  ;  they  are  coming  !  " 

In  a  few  moments  Mosby  came  in  sight,  riding  slowly, 
looking  back,  with  his  pistol  in  his  hand.  A  few  shots  were 
fired  at  him  and  he  waved  his  hand  for  us  to  move  on. 

At  Rectortown,  as  the  last  of  our  men  were  leaving,  the 
Federal  cavalry  was  coming  in  at  the  other  end  of  town. 
Between  Rectortown  and  Salem  the  chase  was  quite  lively. 
At  one  time  we  were  running  almost  neck  and  neck — we  in 
one  field  and  the  Federals  in  an  adjoining  one.  Near  Salem 
they  gave  up  the  pursuit.  We  then  moved  back  under 
cover  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains  to  the  rear  of  the  advanc 
ing  corps,  halted  for  the  night  near  Mountville,  and  as  the 
bands  of  music  were  playing  in  the  camps,  the  sweet  strains 
borne  on  the  night  air  lulled  us  to  repose. 

A  Colonel,  Major,  Sergeant  and  one  private  were  cap 
tured  at  Benton's  Ford  on  Goose  Creek  and  brought  in  by 
Bush,  and  Samuel  Underwood  and  David  Hixon.5 

Lieut.  Norman  Smith  went  to  a  house  which  had  been 
occupied  as  a  headquarters  by  General  Howard.  One  of 
his  aids  was  still  there,  sitting  at  a  table,  writing  a  note. 

"  Good  evening,  Major,"  said  Smith. 

5  Extracts  from  Gen.  O.  0.  Howard's  Report,  Sept.  9,  1863 . 

"July  20:  The  corps  marched  under  orders  to  Mountville  via  Mount 
Gilead,  making  about  16  miles.  During  this  march  the  enemy's  guerrillas  and 
bushwhackers  annoyed  us  considerably,  captured  a  few  stragglers. 

"  During  the  2ist  the  corps  remained  stationary,  sending  out  scouting  par 
ties  in  different  directions,  one  of  which  (from  General  Schurtz)  met  a  detach 
ment  of  Mosby's  guerillas  and  after  a  little  skirmish  recaptured  those  taken 
the  day  before. 

"On  the  22d  a  forage  train  having  started  before  its  guard  was  ready,  lost  9 
wagons,  8  of  which  were  retaken,  but  without  the  animals." 


82 


MOSBYS   RANGERS. 


"  You  have  the  advantage  of  me,  sir/'  said  the  Major, 
looking  up  from  his  writing. 

"  Yes/'  said  Smith,  "  I  have,  for  you  are  my  prisoner." 

"  What  command  do  you  belong  to?"  asked  the  Major. 

"  Major  Mosby's." 

"Why  didn't  you  take  the  General?  You  might  have 
done  so.  He  has  left  but  a  few  moments." 


GENERAL  O.  O.  HOWARD,  U.  S.  A. 
From  a  War-time  photograph. 

The  Major  did  not  relish  the  idea  of  being  taken  prisoner, 
and  for  a  time  was  rather  surly,  but  he  soon  found  he  had 
companions  in  misfortune  and  was  disposed  to  make  the 
best  of  his  situation. 

During  the  night  12  or  15  more  men  joined  us.  Early 
in  the  morning  3  sutlers'  wagons  loaded  with  good  things; 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS.  83 

14  horses,  i  mule  and  47  prisoners  were  captured  near 
Mount  Gilead. 

Leaving  the  prisoners  and  wagons  in  a  hollow,  under 
guard,  Mosby  started  back  to  get  more.  Seeing  a  few 
cavalry  in  a  field,  our  men  galloped  forward  with  a  yell  to 
attack  them,  and  they  fled  towards  a  piece  of  woods. 
William  Hibbs  (usually  called  "  Major  "  Hibbs),  who  was  in 
advance,  saw  a  force  of  infantry  in  the  woods  and  wheel 
ing  his  horse,  called  to  our  men  to  come  back,  but  a  vol 
ley  was  fired  before  they  had  time  to  obey.  A  young  man 
named  Flynn  was  shot  and  fell  from  his  horse,  which  came 
out  with  us  sprinkled  with  its  master's  blood  ;  and  William 
Hibbs,  Jr.,  had  his  horse  killed.  One  of  the  prisoners,  who 
was  within  range,  was  killed,  and  another  fell  from  his  horse 
and  broke  his  neck  as  we  were  moving  off. 

Orders  were  given  to  push  on  with  the  prisoners  and 
horses,  and  the  captured  wagons  were  set  on  fire.  We  had 
to  move  very  cautiously,  being  completely  surrounded. 
Often  finding  our  way  blocked  by  Federal  troops,  we  had 
to  retrace  our  steps  and  seek  other  outlets.  When  we 
reached  the  Snikersville  pike  a  brigade  of  cavalry  was  pass 
ing,  and  we  had  to  fall  back  and  lie  close  until  they  passed. 
We  succeeded,  however,  in  getting  our  captures  safely  to 
the  Bull  Run  Mountains,  and  the  next  morning  the  prisoners 
were  sent  off  under  guard,  in  charge  of  Thomas  Lake,  to 
Culpeper  Court  House. 

There  was  now  no  time  for  rest,  in  the  midst  of  Meade's 
army  on  those  hot  July  days — the  sun  glaring  down  with 
intense  fierceness,  the  air  filled  with  dust  .raised  by  the 
steady  tramp  of  the  thousands  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  and 
the  long  trains  of  wagons  and  batteries  of  artillery  that 
lumbered  along  the  roads.  Our  little  band  was  darting  in 
here  and  out  there — at  one  time  making  a  dash  into  a  wagon 
train  before  the  guards  were  aware  of  our  presence,  and  be 
fore  they  could  recover  from  their  surprise,  dashing  off 
under  cover  of  the  woods  ;  at  another  time  gobbling  up 
some  luckless  sutler  and  refreshing  ourselves  from  his 
stores.  Men  were  covered  with  dust,  through  which  the  per 
spiration  trickled  down  their  faces,  making  them  look  more 


84 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


m  m 


like  painted  or  tattoed  savage  warriors  than  civilized 
beings.  The  horses  were  covered  with  sweat  and  dust, 
panting — many  with  their  tongues  hanging  out,  or,  like  those 
of  their  masters,  glued  to  their  mouths.  Some  of  the  poor 
animals  dropped  from  exhaustion  and  the  riders  were  com 
pelled  to  take  to  captured  horses,  and  in  some  straits  even 
to  mount  captured  mules. 

Although  our  presence  in  the  army  was  known  and  felt, 
as  we  were  constantly  changing  our  position — scurrying  off 

from  one  point  to  another — it 
was  impossible  to  locate  us, 
We  made  a  dash  at  General 
Sedgwick's  headquarters  and 
carried  off  some  fine  horses 
and  mules. 

On  the  24th    we  captured   a 

jIM^  few    prisoners    and   33   mules 

within  one  hundred  yards  of 

,j^  General   Howard's  headquar- 

JB  ters.     Thomas   Burke's  horse 

1«  ^•jJP  gave   out   and   he  mounted  a 

captured  mule.  The  poor 
brute  was  soon  shot  from  un 
der  him,  and  we  are  of  the 
favored  few  who  can  answer 
affirmatively  that  well  known 
query :  u  Who  ever  saw  a 
dead  mule  ?  " 

It  was  now  impossible  to 
send  the  prisoners  South,  and  Major  Mosby  could  not  spare 
the  men  to  send  them  off  in  small  squads  as  they  were  being 
brought  in,  so  a  temporary  camp  had  to  be  established  on 
the  Bull  Run  Mountains,  a  short  distance  north  of  Hope- 
well  Gap.  The  prisoners  pitched  their  little  shelter  tents 
on  the  mountain  side  and  we  compelled  them  to  cut  off 
small  branches  of  trees  and  spread  over  them  so  as  to  hide 
them  from  the  view  of  the  army  passing  along  in  sight  of 
the  camp.  At  times  they  would  sing  and  make  as  much 
noise  as  possible  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  Federal 


J.  WAI.  DEAR,  CO.  D. 
Captured  in  Loudoun  Co.  and  sent  to  Fort 
McHenry   by   Gen.  Sheridan,  not   to  be 
exciianged  until  after  the  war. 
From  a  photograph  taken  after  the  war. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  85 

soldiers,  but  no  attempt  was  made  to  release  or  recapture 
them,  although  threats  were  made  that  a  force  would  be 
sent  to  scour  the  mountains  and  drive  us  out.  The  prison 
ers,  seeing  parties  of  our  men  constantly  coming  in  with 
other  prisoners  during  the  few  days  the  army  was  passing, 
were  afraid  to  risk  an  attempt  to  escape.  One  of  them  said 
to  me,  while  speaking  of  the  small  force  guarding  them  : 

"  You  could  keep  us  here  almost  without  a  guard,  for  we 
know  nothing  about  the  roads,  and  would  not  be  able  to  find 
our  way  out ;  and  if  we  did,  your  men  are  scattered  in  all 
directions,  so  that  we  would  either  be  shot  or  recaptured." 

Nearly  200  horses  and  mules  were  captured. 

As  soon  as  the  Federal  army  had  passed,  153  prisoners,  in 
cluding  a  number  of  officers,  were  sent  South  under  a  guard 
of  17  men,  and  all  reached  their  destination  safely.6 

On  the  evening  of  July  3Oth,  at  Fairfax  Court-House  and 
in  its  vicinity,  Mosby,  with  about  30  men,  captured  sutlers' 
wagons  and  other  property,  together  with  a  number  of  pris 
oners.  Collecting  together  29  wagons  filled  with  rich 
stores,  Mosby  attempted  to  bring  them  off.  He  had  suc- 

6  Report  of  Major  John  S.  Mosby  to  General  Stuart. 

Fauquier  Co.,   Va.,  July  28,  1863. 

"I  sent  you  in  charge  of  Sergeant  [F.]  Beattie,  141  prisoners  which  we 
captured  from  the  enemy  during  their  march  through  this  county.  I  also  sent 
off  45  several  days  ago  ;  included  in  the  number,  i  major,  a  captain,  and  2 
lieutenants.  1  also  captured  123  horses  and  mules,  12  wagons  (only  3  of  which 
I  was  able  to  destroy),  50  sets  of  fine  harness,  arms,  etc." 


[Indorsements.] 

HDQRS.  CAVALRY  DIVISION,  ARMY  NORTHERN  VA.,JU/V     ,  1863. 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  War  Department  for  its  information. 
Mosby  has  richly  won  another  grade  and  I  hope  it  will  be  conferred. 

J.    E.    B.    STUART,  Major  Gen. 

HEADQUARTERS,  Culpeper,  July  31.  1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  department,  and  as  evi 
dence  of  the  merit  and  activity  of  Major  Mosby  and  his  command. 

R.   E.   LEE,   General. 


86  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

ceeded  in  bringing  them  up  the  Little  River  Turnpike  as 
far  as  Mt.  Zion  Church,  when  he  was  overtaken  by  Colonel 
Lowell  with  a  detachment  of  the  Second  Massachusetts 
Cavalry,  which  had  started  out  from  Centreville  in  pursuit, 
and  Mosby  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  captures  and  re 
treat,  with  a  loss  of  one  man  wounded  and  one  prisoner.7 
[See  Mosby's  Report,  Note  8.] 

7  Report  of  Col.  Chas.  R.  Lowell,  Jr.,  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry. 

Centreville,  July  31,  1863. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  immediately  upon  receiving  from  you  the 
information  that  Mosby  had  been  seen  upon  the  Little  River  pike  I  ordered 
Captain  Manning,  with  30  men,  to  proceed  by  Old  Road  to  Aldie,  and  picket 
quietly  the  approaches  from  the  east  ;  I  at  the  same  time  made  the  desired 
detail  (Lieutenant  Stone  and  20  men)  to  go  with  the  ambulances  to  Davis'  hos 
pital.  At  8.30  p.  m.  started  with  150  men  along  Old  Road  toward  Aldie. 
Arriving  at  Gum  Springs  road,  sent  Lieutenant  Manning,  with  20  men,  to  pass 
through  Gum  Springs  and  picket  the  road  from  there  to  Little  River  pike,  thus 
hoping  to  stop  all  escape  by  the  north,  if  Mosby  attempted  to  return.  Reached 
Aldie  myself  about  one  a.  m.;  communicated  with  Captain  Manning  and 
Lieutenant  Stone,  and  went  into  bivouac  in  the  woods  one  mile  east  of  town. 

At  daybreak  was  aroused  by  firing  to  the  eastward.  Moved  out  upon  the 
road  in  time  to  meet  my  pickets,  with  some  of  Lieutenant  Manning's  detach 
ment  pursued  by  about  20  or  25  rebels.  Started  after  the  rebels  immediately. 
They  scattered,  4  or  5  going  down  the  road,  the  rest  taking  to  the  fields.  Sent 
a  party  after  the  latter  and  followed  down  the  road  at  a  smart  pace.  After  3 
miles  ride  came  up  to  the  wagon  train  where  the  first  firing  had  occurred. 

Mosby,  however,  had  made  off  when  we  appeared  on  the  top  of  the  most 
distant  hill.  Followed  3  miles  farther,  taking  road  to  the  south  and  then  sent 
a  detachment  but  couldn't  overtake  him,  though  he  was  embarrassed  by 
prisoners. 

It  seems  that  Mosby,  with  about  75  men  and  a  sutler's  train  captured  at 
Fairfax,  moving  west  along  the  Little  River  pike,  reached  the  junction  with  the 
Gum  Springs  road  4  miles  from  Aldie  just  as  Lieutenant  Manning  arrived  from 
the  north.  Lieutenant  Manning  at  once  attacked,  and  with  only  6  or  8  men 
charged  Mosby's  advance  guard  in  upon  the  wagons,  and  charged  through  to 
the  rear  of  the  train,  losing  2  killed,  2  wounded  and  2  prisoners.  Mosby's 
advance,  on  recovering  from  their  surprise,  and  seeing  the  small  force,  attacked 
the  rest  of  Lieutenant  Manning's  men  and  followed  them  till  met  by  the  other 
force  advancing  as  above. 

After  getting  the  ambulances  and  sutlers'  train  started  for  Centreville  under 
a  guard,  I  took  the  turnpike  westward,  and  then  the  Old  Carolina  road  south 
ward  till  I  struck  Mosby's  trail  running  up  into  Bull  Run  mountains.  Followed 
it  over  the  ridge  and  came  upon  all  the  prisoners  (2  privates  from  my  squadron 
and  7  non-commissioned  officers  from  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  regiment  taken  at 
Fairfax  Court  House) ;  also  took  about  20  of  Mosby's  horses,  some  of  them 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  8/ 

I  was  one  of  the  men  detailed  to  go  South  as  guard  with 
the  prisoners  captured  while  Meade's  army  was  marching 
through  Loudoun,  and  on  my  return  learned  that  Mosby 
had  continued  his  active  operations  in  Fairfax,  as  may  be 
seen  by  the  accompanying  reports  of  captures  on  the  3d  and 
nth  of  August.8 

On  the  24th  of  August,  Mosby  with  35  men  came  upon  a 
detachment  of  the  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  who  were 
taking  a  drove  of  horses  to  the  Federal  Army.  They  had 
halted  to  water  the  horses  at  Billy  Gooding's  Tavern  on  the 
Little  River  Turnpike,  10  miles  from  Alexandria.  Mosby 
decided  to  attack  them  and  make  a  large  capture  if  possible, 
or  at  least  stampede  their  horses  and  disarrange  their  plans. 
He  divided  his  force,  sending  Lieutenant  Turner  to  attack 

saddled,  but  was  much  disappointed  not 
to  capture  a  single  rebel— [not]  one  of 
his  men.  They  took  to  the  woods  which 
are  very  thick  in  the  mountains, 

I  have  to  report  2  killed,  2  wounded 
not  severely,  and  I  man  missing  (he 
was  taken  prisoner  but  escaped  into  the 
woods  himself  and  has  not  reappeared). 
Of  the  rebels  we  are  sure  of  5  wounded. 
The  sutlers  report  some  killed,  but  I 
didn't  see  them. 

CHAS.  R.  LOWELL,  JR., 
Colonel  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry. 


8  Mosby' s  Report  to  Stuart. 
Fauqmer  Co.,   Va.,  Aug.  4,  1863. 
I    send   over  in  charge   of   Sergeant 
Beattie  about  30  prisoners  captured  on 
an  expedition  into  Fairfax,  from  which 
I   have   just   returned.     Most  of  them 

were  taken   at   Padgett's,  near  Alexan-  ZACH.  F.  JONES,  CO.  D. 

dria.     I  also  captured  about  30  wagons 

brought  off  about  70  horses  and  mules,  having  only  ten  men  with  me.  We 
lost  a  great  many  on  the  way  back,  as  we  were  compelled  to  travel  narrow, 
unfrequented  paths.  Among  the  captures  were  three  sutlers'  wagons. 

At  Fairfax  Court  House  a  few  nights  ago  I  captured  29  loaded  sutlers' 
wagons,  about  100  prisoners  and  140  horses.  I  had  brought  all  off  safely  near 
Aldie,  where  I  fell  in  with  a  large  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  who  recaptured 


88  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

them  in  front,  while  he  fell  on  their  rear.  The  combined 
charge  routed  the  guards,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  who 
took  shelter  in  the  tavern  and  fired  from  the  windows  until 
their  ammunition  was  exhausted,  when  they  surrendered. 
We  lost  2  killed — Lieutenant  Norman  Smith  and  Charles  E. 
Shriver. 

Lieutenant  Norman  Smith,  of  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry, 
was  a  son  of  Blackwell  Smith,  of  Fauquier  County  ;  he  was 

them.     The  enemy  had  several  hundred.     I  had  only  27  men.     We  killed  and 
captured  several.     My  loss  :  one  wounded  and  captured. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.   S.   MOSBY,  Major  Commanding. 
[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA,  August  17,  1863. 
Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  War  Department. 
This  bold  Partisan  leader  deserves  promotion. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART,  Major-General. 

HEADQUARTERS,  August  18,  1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  War  Department. 

I  greatly  commend  Major  Mosby  for  his  boldness  and  good  management. 
I  fear  he  exercises  but  little  control  over  his  men.  He  has  latterly  carried  but 
too  few  on  his.  expeditions  apparently,  and  his  attention  has  been  more  at 
tracted  toward  the  capture  of  wagons  than  military  damage  to  the  enemy.  His 
attention  has  been  called  to  this.  R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

Col.  A.  H.  GRIMSHAW  to  Brigadier-General  KING,  August  3,  1863:  "The 
following  just  received  :  '  Fairfax  Court  House  has  been  surrounded  all  day  by 
Mosby's  guerrillas.  Every  team  going  down  and  returning  has  been  captured. 
They  are  200  strong.  They  are  trying  to  get  to  the  mountains  with  their  booty.' 

"  MOSES  SWEETER." 

PLEASONTON  to  HUMPHREYS,  August  2,  1863  :  "  General  Custer  also  states 
that  he  has  sent  a  party  of  300  picked  men  under  an  excellent  officer  to  hunt  up 
Mosby.  He  has  strong  hopes  they  will  either  capture  Mosby  or  drive  him  out 
of  the  country.  No  bushwhackers  have  appeared  on  our  left." 

Centreville,  August  4,  1863. 

SIR  :  The  cavalry  sent  out  yesterday  to  look  after  the  guerrillas  said  to  be  at 
or  near  Fairfax  Court  House,  have  returned  to  camp.  One  party  moved  by 
Fairfax  Station  to  Burke's  Station,  and  thence  to  the  pike  and  Court  House  ; 
the  second  party  proceeded  by  way  of  Fox  Mills  to  the  Court  House,  and  the 
third  went  directly  along  the  pike,  all  three  rendezvousing  at  the  Court  House 
about  1 1  a.  m.  None  of  them  saw  more  than  two  or  three  guerrillas.  The 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  89 

a  splendid  scout  and  had  distinguished  himself  by  his  bravery 
under  General  Ewell.  In  his  report  of  this  affair  Mosby 
says: 

"  Among  the  killed  was  Norman  Smith,  who  thus  early 
terminating  a  career  of   great  usefulness   and    of   brilliant 
promise,  has  left  the  memory  of  a 
name  that  will  not  be  forgotten 
till    honor,    virtue,    courage,  all, 
shall  cease  to  claim  the  homage 
of  the  heart." 

Charles  Eltinge  Shriver  was 
only  17  years  of  age,  but  had 
proved  himself  a  gallant  young 
soldier.  He  was  a  son  of  Charles 
Shriver,  of  Frederick  City,  Mary 
land,  and  was  a  nephew  of  Gen 
eral  Edward  Shriver,  who  served 
in  the  Federal  Army  during  the 

War-  MAJOR-GEN.  GEO.  G.  MEADE, 

Mosby   was   shot   through   the  U.S.A. 

side  and  thigh.     He  was  carried 

to  the  woods  and  attended  by  Dr.  Dunn,  our  surgeon. 
Joseph .  Calvert  was  shot  in  the  ankle,  and  two  or  three 
others  received  trifling  wounds. 

second  party  heard  that  a  band  of  30  or  40,  with  some  20  mules  in  their  pos 
session,  had  passed  Fox  Mills  up  toward  Frying  Pan.  Our  cavalry  pursued 
them  vigorously  to  Frying  Pan,  but  could  not  overtake  them.  Major  Forbes, 
who  commanded  our  forces,  is  confident  that  the  entire  marauding  party  will 
not  exceed  40  or  50  men,  and  had  not  more  than  20  or  30  mules. 

RUFUS  KING. 
Report  of  Major  John  S.  Mosby,  C.  S,  A. 

Culpeper,  Attgust  20,  1863, 

On  Tuesday,  August  u,  I  captured  a  train  of  19  wagons  near  Annandale, 
in  Fairfax  County.  We  secured  the  teams  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
most  valuable  stores,  consisting  of  saddles,  bridles,  harness,  &c.  We  took 
about  25  prisoners. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.   MOSBY,  Major. 

Report  of  Colonel  Lowell  (Federal}. 

August  12,  1863. 

"  Mosby's  and  White's  men,  together  about  140  strong,  came  down  the 
Little  River  turnpike  the  day  before  yesterday  and  passed  the  night  near  Gum 


90  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

The  Federals  lost  3  killed,  3  wounded,  and  12  prisoners. 
Over  100  horses  were  captured,  but  only  85  were  brought 
out.  (See  Mosby 's  Report,  Appendix,  IV.) 

Lieutenant  Turner,  with  the  greater  portion  of  the  com 
mand,  pushed  on  with  the  prisoners  and  horses,  while  a  few 
trusty  followers  remained  with  Mosby,  who  could  travel 
but  slowly,  owing  to  the  painful  nature  of  his  wounds. 

Colonel  Lowell  started  from  Centreville  with  a  force  of 
cavalry  in  pursuit.  On  their  approach,  Mosby  was  carried 
into  the  pines,  where  he  lay  concealed  until  his  pursuers 
passed  by  endeavoring  to  overtake  Turner  with  the  prison 
ers  and  captured  horses.  After  the  Federal  cavalry  had 
passed  out  of  sight,  Mosby  was  taken  up  in  their  rear  and 
removed  South. 

Springs.  Moved  down  yesterday  forenoon  through  Ox  Road  Junction  toward 
Flint  Hill.  Hearing  that  our  pickets  were  there,  turned  to  the  north  again  and 
passing  through  Vienna  by  Mills'  Cross  Roads  to  the  Little  River  pike  near 
Gooding's  Tavern  ;  captured  one  sutlers'  train  there  between  3  and  4  p.  m., 
and  another  about  a  mile  further  east.  An  hour  later  half  plundered  some  of 
the  wagons,  took  all  the  horses  and  mules,  and  started  back  in  a  hurry  through 
Vienna  toward  Hunter's  Mill.  About  one  mile  south  of  the  mill  they  divided, 
half  going  toward  Dranesville,  the  other  by  Hunter's  Mill,  nearly  down  to 
Chantilly,  then  turned  to  the  right,  and,  I  presume,  passed  through  Gum 
Springs  early  this  a.  m." 


CHAPTER  V. 

September  and  October,  1863— Attack  Picket  Post  at  Carter's  Run— Capture  of  Sutlers  near 
Warrenton — Mosby  Recovers  from  his  Wounds  and  Returns  to  the  Command — Scouting 
in  Fairfax— Company  B  Organized — Rich  Haul  of  Sutlers  near  Alexandria — Blessed  are 
the  Hungry,  for  they  shall  be  Filled— Characteristics  of  Mosby — Transfers — Capture  near 
Chantilly — Trains  Delayed  and  the  Enemy  well  Stirred  Up— Mosby  Surrounded — He 
Draws  the  Attention  of  the  Enemy  while  Lieutenant  Williams  Brings  out  the  Command 
Safely — A  Scouting  Party  of  "  Mosby's  Men'1  used  up  by  Baker's  Rangers — Handover's 
Adventure— His  Capture,  Trial  by  Military  Commission,  Sentence,  Escape  and  Return  to 
his  Command— Capture  of  Wagon  Train  near  Warrenton — Capture  of  Two  Correspondents 
of  the  New  York  Herald. 

In  the  absence  of  Major  Mosby,  Lieutenant  Turner,  of 
Company  A,  was  in  command,  Captain  Foster  having  been 
captured  by  a  raiding  party  a  day  or  two  after  his  election. 

Turner  was  an  active  and  efficient  officer  and  proved 
himself  fully  capable  of  fulfilling  the  duties  of  his  position. 

Saturday,  September  $th. — Turner,  with  40  men,  set  out  to 
attack  a  picket  post  at  Gaskins'  Mill,  on  Carter's  Run, 
near  Waterloo.1 

We  proceeded  leisurely  along,  not  wishing  to  reach  the 
vicinity  of  the  federal  camps  until  after  night  had  set  in. 
WTe  then  moved  along  quietly,  and  arrived  at  our  destina 
tion  about  midnight.  Turner  went  forward  with  the  guide 

1  Skit  mis h  at  Carter's  Run — Federal  Reports. 

September  6th,  1S63. 

I  forward  herewith  a  report  of  casualties  that  resulted  from  an  attack  of  the 
enemy  on  the  pickets  of  the  First  Brigade  at  Carter's  Run  at  I  o'clock  this 
a.  m. 

At  about  dark  last  night  an  attack  was  made  on  the  pickets  of  the  Second 
Brigade,  on  the  right  of  the  line  on  Aestham  river  ;  the  attack  was  repulsed 
without  loss.  D  McM>  GREGG> 

In  the  attack  at  Carter's  Run  one  officer  and  one  corporal  killed  and  5  men 
captured  ;  20  horses  and  3  mules  captured.  The  officer  was  Lieutenant  Lyon, 
First  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 

The  cause  of  this  surprise  was  due  to  the  sentinel  leaving  his  post  without 
firing  his  piece  or  giving  any  alarm  ;  he  is  in  confinement  and  charges  are  pre- 
terred  against  him. 

I  have  directed  Colonel  Mclntosh  to  go  after  the  rebels  at  Middleburg  and 

A.  PLEASANTON. 

91 


92 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


to  observe  the  position  of  the  enemy  and  arrange  his  plans 
for  the  attack.  Getting  between  the  camp  and  the  reserve 
picket,  we  charged  upon  them,  killing  3,  wounding  a  num 
ber,  and  bringing  out  7  prisoners,  25  horses  and  3  mules. 

There  were  two  regiments  of  cavalry  camped  a  short  dis 
tance  from  the  post,  and  after  the  alarm  was  given  we  could 
hear  the  officers  giving  orders  to  the  men  to  "  Fall  in." 
Turner  had  no  one  injured,  but  lost  one  man,  C.  A.  Fox, 
who  wandered  off  in  the  darkness  and  was  captured. 

On  the  night  of  September  i6th  Lieutenant  Turner  cap 
tured  4  sutlers'  wagons,  12  horses  and  2  mules.  There  was 

a  great  quantity  of  sutlers' 
goods  of  every  description, 

<j£JJJ£  and    the    men    loaded    them 

selves  with  as  much  as  they 

fcj^  could  carry  off,  and  then  set 

fire  to  the  wagons  and  the  re 
mainder  of  the  goods.  The 
capture  took  place  at  Fayette- 
ville,  five  miles  from  War- 
renton. 

About  this  time  Mosby  re 
turned  to  the  command,  hav 
ing  nearly  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  his  wounds. 

On  the  2ist  of  September 
Mosby  was  again  in  the  sad 
dle,  and  we  started  for  a  raid  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad.  We  halted  at  night  near  Warrenton  Junction, 
got  some  hay  for  our  horses,  and  lay  in  the  woods  until  day 
light  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  when  we  mounted  and 
moved  on  to  within  about  two  miles  of  Bealeton  Station, 
where  we  again  halted  in  the  pines,  while  Mosby,  Wm.  R. 
Smith,  John  Edmonds  and  Walter  Whaley  went  out  to  re 
connoitre.  They  observed  a  long  train  of  pontoons  moving 
in  the  direction  of  the  Rappahannock,  each  truck  drawn  by 
eight  mules,  and  all  so  heavily  guarded  that  we  could  not 
attack.  We  could  hear  the  drums  beating,  the  bugles 
sounding,  and  the  rumbling  of  the  trains  along  the  railroad. 


c.  A.  FOX,  co.  A. 

From  a  photograph  taken  in  1878. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  93 

Knowing  these  pontoons  were  going  to  Meade's  army,  and 
that  they  indicated  the  intention  of  the  Federals  to  attempt 
the  crossing  of  the  river,  Mosby  immediately  despatched 
Sergeant  Horace  Johnson  to  General  Lee  with  the  informa 
tion,  and  we  marched  off  to  Auburn. 

While  sitting  on  our  horses  in  front  of  a  saw-mill,  a  squad 
of  7  Federal  cavalrymen  came  in  sight  from  towards  Catlett 
Station.  Lieutenant  Turner  and  a  few  of  the  men  imme 
diately  started  in  pursuit.  The  Federals  drew  their  sabres 
and  used  the  flat  sides  to  belabor  their  horses,  while  they 
vigorously  plied  the  spurs  and  succeeded  in  making  their 
escape. 

Finding  the  railroad  too  heavily  guarded  for  us  to  attempt 
any  demonstration,  Mosby  determined  to  abandon  that  line 
and  strike  out  through  Fairfax.  At  Buckland,  Mosby  sent 
Lieutenant  Turner  back  to  Fauquier  with  the  greater  por 
tion  of  the  command,  while  he  detailed  20  men  to  go  with 
him  to  Fairfax.  Our  march  led  us  over  the  old  battlefield 
of  Manassas.  Here  we  met  a  party  of  thirty-odd  Federal 
cavalrymen  returning  to  their  camp  at  Centreville,  we 
judged  from  a  plundering  expedition,  as  they  were  leading 
some  12  or  15  horses.  We  concealed  ourselves  behind  a 
little  hill  until  they  drew  sufficiently  near,  and  then  charged 
them  with  a  yell.  They  made  no  resistance — their  only 
thought  appeared  to  be  how  they  should  get  away.  We 
succeeded,  however,  in  capturing  9  prisoners  and  12  horses. 
The  horses  were  newly  branded,  and  all  the  equipments 
were  new.  In  the  pursuit  the  men  got  separated — some 
who  were  leading  captured  horses  being  left  behind,  and 
Mosby  continued  his  march  with  only  15  mien. 

Near  Burke's  Station  we  saw  a  number  of  mules  grazing 
in  a  field  near  an  infantry  camp.  The  guard  was  captured 
and  8  mules  driven  off  in  sight  of  the  infantry,  who  stood 
looking  on  in  amazement  without  making  the  slightest  effort 
to  recapture  them. 

On  the  night  of  September  28th,  1863,  Mosby  with  5  or  6 
men  proceeded  down  Fairfax  with  the  intention  of  capturing 
Governor  Pierpont.  Arriving  at  his  house  near  Alexandria 
he  learned  that  the  Governor  had  gone  to  Washington  that 


94  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

evening.  Not  wishing  to  return  without  accomplishing 
something,  he  went  to  the  residence  of  Colonel  Dulany,  aide 
to  Governor  Pierpont,  and  taking  that  gentleman  prisoner, 
sent  him  to  Richmond.  French  Dulany,  a  son  of  Colonel 
Dulany,  was  a  member  of  Mosby's  command  and  was  pres 
ent  and  aided  in  the  capture  of  his  father.  A  bridge  over 
Four  Mile  Run  was  burned  on  the  homeward  route.  [See 
Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  IV.] 

A  meeting  of  the  command  was  held  at  Scuffleburg2  on  the 
ist  of  October,  1863.  Up  to  this  time  Company  A  com 
prised  the  Battalion,  but  Mosby  now  thought  there  were 
men  enough  for  two  companies.  The  men  were  drawn  up 
in  line  and  60  selected  to  go  into  an  election  for  officers  of 
Company  B.  William  R.  Smith,  of  Fauquier,  a  lieutenant 
in  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry,  was  chosen  as  captain ;  Frank 
lin  Williams,  of  Fairfax,  First  Lieutenant ;  Albert  Wrenn,  of 
Fairfax,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Robert  Gray,  of  Loudoun, 
Third  Lieutenant. 

In  Company  A  Joseph  H.  Nelson  was  elected  Third 
Lieutenant,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  George  Whitescarver,  who  was  killed  at  Seneca, 
Maryland. 

Friday,  October  9th. —  Mosby  started  from  Rector's  X 
Roads  with  40  men,  and  marching  in  the  direction  of  Fair 
fax,  bivouacked  at  night  in  the  pines  near  Frying  Pan.  After 
lying  concealed  in  the  pine  forest  all  day,  fearing  the  enemy 
might  become  aware  of  our  presence,  we  moved  off  after 
nightfall  to  a  point  near  Guilford,  where  we  halted,  fed  our 
horses,  and  a  little  before  day  on  Sunday  morning,  the  i  ith, 
rode  out  near  the  turnpike  about  5  or  6  miles  from  Alexan 
dria.  While  the  command  was  concealed  in  the  thick  pines 
a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  turnpike,  Mosby  and  Walter 
Whaley  hid  in  some  bushes  by  the  roadside  where  they 
could  observe  what  was  passing,  and  Captain  Smith,  with 
John  Munson,  took  a  like  position  further  up  the  road.  Soon 
a  body  of  about  250  cavalry  passed,  which  proved  to  be  the 

2  Scuffleburg  was  situated  in  a  hollow  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  between  Paris  and 
Markham,  and  the  burg  consisted  of  a  blacksmith  shop,  with  residence,  and  a 
wheelwright  shop. 


MOSIJV  S    RANGERS. 


95 


escort  of  a  long"  train  of  wagons  that  came  lumbering"  along 
in  their  .rear. 

At  this  point  there  was  an  ugly  hole  in  the  road  which  the 
teams  had  difficulty  in  passing,  and  the  third  wagon  from 
the  rear  stalled  and  blocked  the  way  so  that  the  other  two 
could  not  pass. 

As  the  column  moved  on  without  waiting  for  the  stalled 
team,  Mosby  and  Whaley  rode  out  and  ordered  the  wagons 
driven  into  the  woods.  Captain  Smith  also  captured  a 
stray  wagon  which  came 
on  at  some  distance  behind 
the  train.  The  prize  was 
a  rich  one  to  the  hungry 
Rangers,  who  had  been 
kept  waiting  so  long  in  the 
pine  forest.  The  wagons 
were  loaded  with  clothing, 
coffee,  tea,  sugar,  cheese  ; 
cans  of  meat,  oysters,  sar 
dines,  fruits ;  boxes  of 
cakes  and  crackers,  to 
bacco,  segars,  stationery, 
and  a  general  variety  of 
goods  such  as  were  usually 
found  among  the  sutlers' 
stores.  Each  man  helped 
himself  to  what  pleased 
him  best,  and  it  was  amus 
ing  to  see  the  men  pick  up 
one  thing  and  then  throw 
it  away  to  take  something 

else  which  took  their  fancy.  We  could  not  take  all,  and  it 
was  hard  to  decide  what  was  most  necessary  or  profitable. 
There  was  but  one  article  that  all  felt  a  common  interest  in, 
and  that  was  a  lot  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  pairs  of 
boots. 

While  this  was  going  on,  our  picket  gave  the  alarm  and  a 
solitary  Jersey  wagon  coming  along  was  overhauled  and 
brought  in.  In  it  was  a  Mr.  Dunham  and  wife,  returning 


CAPT.  WILLIAM  R.  SMITH,  CO.  B. 

Killed  in  an  attack  on  Cole's  Camp,  Loudoun 

Heights,  January  ic>,  1864. 


96 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


from  an  unsuccessful  trip  to  Alexandria,  where  they  had 
gone  to  purchase  groceries,  but  had  been  refused  permis 
sion  by  the  authorities.  We  not  only  gave  them  our  sym 
pathy — something  that  is  freely  given  by  most  persons  to 
their  fellow  creatures  in  want — but  we  also  gave  a  more 
substantial  expression  of  feeling  which  was  more  gratifying 
to  this  couple.  We  loaded  up  their  wagon  free  of  cost  and 
sent  them  on  their  way  rejoicing.  We  then  returned  to 
Fauquier. 

Mosby  was  a  brave  man,  and  as  a  scout  he  was  unsur 
passed.     He  was  generally  taciturn,  particularly  towards 

strangers.  At  times 
he  was  quite  talkative 
and  very  agreeable, 
while  at  others  he 
would  scarcely  an 
swer  a  question  put 
to  him.  In  conversa 
tion  his  voice  was 
low,  his  utterances 
usually  slow  and  dis 
tinct,  but  when  con 
versing  on  a  subject 
in  which  he  took 
more  than  an  ordi 
nary  interest  he  be 
came  quite  a  rapid 
talker.  He  spoke 
plainly  and  to  the 
point,  and  there  was 
no  mistaking  the 
meaning  of  his  words. 
He  had  a  pleasant 
face,  white  and  reg 
ular  teeth,  and  keen,  restless  eyes,  which  seemed  an  index  to 
the  mind.  I  have  often  watched  him  as  he  would  stand  in 
tently  gazing  at  a  man — staring  as  though  he  were  reading 
him  through  with  those  eyes,  like  a  book,  and  then  only 
removing  his  gaze  as  he  walked  off  apparently  satisfied  with 


HARRY  BROCK,  CO.  t). 
From  a  picture  taken  after  the  war. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  97 

the  result  of  his  conclusion  or  decision  as  to  the  man's  worth 
or  character.  His  reasoning  was  good  and  the  conclusions 
arrived  at  were  generally  correct,  yet  he  was  very  set  in  his 
opinions,  and  when  he  had  once  made  up  his  mind  it  was 
hard  to  change.  In  his  manner  he  was  plain  and  unassuming. 
Cool  in  danger,  quick  to  think  and  practical  in  carrying  out 
his  ideas — these  were  qualities  which  aided  materially  in 
his  success. 

There  was  a  rich  vein  of  humor  running  through  his  na 
ture  so  close  to  the  surface  that  it  required  but  little  dig 
ging  to  reach  it,  and  no  schoolboy  ever  enjoyed  a  bit  of  fun 
with  keener  relish  than  Mosby.  Sometimes,  when  on  the 
march,  we  would  turn  into  the  woods  and  stop  to  rest  the 
tired  horses.  On  such  occasions  Mosby  would  often  call  on 
John  Sinclair  to  describe  the  capture  of  a  sutler's  train. 
Sinclair  was  a  clever  actor  and  could  not  only  suit  the  ac 
tion  to  the  word,  but  possessed  sufficient  power  of  mimicry 
to  show  off  the  little  peculiarities  of  the  different  sutlers  in 
their  fright  and  their  vain  attempts  to  escape.  Mosby 
would  walk  up  to  Sinclair  with  a  smile  and  say  :  "  How 
was  it,  John  ?  Let's  have  it  about  those  sutlers."  Then 
Sinclair  would  proceed,  throwing  his  arms  wildly  about 
and  illustrating  the  alarm  and  excitement  of  the  sutlers ; 
would  tell  how  a  big  wagon  would  stop  in  the  road  while  a 
little  two-horse  wagon  came  rushing  down  ;  then  the  war  of 
words:  "  Drive  on !  What  are  you  stopping  up  the  road 
for  ?  "  "  What  in  the  hell  are  you  about  ?  "  '•  There  now, 
you've  broke  my  tongue  !  "  "  Don't  run  into  my  wagon  !  " 
"  Don't  you  run  your  mules  into  my  wagon  !  "  "  You've  run 
your  mules  through  mine  !  "  u  Now,  we're  all  tangled  up  !  " 
One  old  fellow  comes  along  spurring  and  lashing  up  his 
horses — "  There  they  come  !  'Taint  no  use  to  run  !  They've 
got  us  all ! "  He  would  picture  the  scene  so  naturally  that 
Mosby  and  all  around  would  roar  with  laughter,  making  the 
old  woods  ring. 

Mosby  was  greatly  annoyed  by  men  in  the  regular 
service  wishing  to  join  him.  They  would  send  appli 
cations  requesting  him  to  procure  transfers  for  them, 
or  seeking  to  know  if  he  would  receive  them  in  the 


98  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

event  of  their  resigning  positions.  At  meetings  letters 
would  be  handed  him,  which  he  would  open  and  on  see 
ing  from  their  beginning  that  they  were  of  this  char 
acter,  often,  without  reading  further,  he  would  tear  them 
up,  saying  he  did  not  wish  to  be  bothered  with  them  ;  that 
if  the  writers  were  anxious  to  join  his  command  they  could 
come  and  see  him  and  he  could  then  tell  better  what  he 
would  do. 

At  one  of  the  meetings  a  young  man  walked  up  to  Mosby 
and  extending  his  hand,  said  : 

"  How  are  you,  Major?" 

"How  are  you?"  said  Mosby,  looking  up,  thrusting  his 
hands  into  his  pockets,  and  surveying  him  from  head  to  foot. 

"  I  came  here  to  join  you,  Major." 

"  Where  are  you  from  ?  " 

"  I  belonged'to  McNeil." 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  "  said  Mosby. 

"Want  to  join  your  command/'  At  the  same  time  the 
young  man  mentioned  something  about  a  transfer  or  fur 
lough. 

"Where's  your  paper?"  said  Mosby  ;  "let  me  see  it." 

It  was  handed  him,  and  looking  at  the  date  he  raised  his 
eyes,  saying  : 

"  Where  have  you  been  all  this  time  ?  " 

He  said  he  had  been  getting  horses,  and  that  he  had 
several. 

"  I  don't  want  you,"  said  Mosby.  "  Go  back  to  your 
command,  and  don't  tell  people  you  are  one  of  '  Mosby 's 
Men ' — that  you  belong  to  my  command.  'I  heard  you 
robbed  a  Yankee  deserter  of  $2.50.  I  don't  want  you  with 
me." 

"  I  never  did  such  a  thing,"  said  the  man. 

"  Don't  you  live  at  Smith's?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Then  you  are  the  man  ;  I  don't  want  you,"  and  tearing 
up  the  paper,  Mosby  turned  his  back  and  walked  away. 

Friday,  October  16. — Mosby  went  on  a  raid  down  in  Fair 
fax  County.  Leaving  Company  B  camped  in  the  woods 
near  Frying  Pan,  he  took  Company  A,  and  at  Stuarts,  near 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  99 

Chantilly,  on  the  turnpike  above  Fairfax  Court  House,  cap 
tured  about  40  prisoners  and  64  horses  and  mules.  A  Fed 
eral  lieutenant  was  killed  by  Edward  Hurst,  but  no  other 
casualities  occurred  on  either  side.3 

Sending  the  prisoners  and  horses  out  with  Company  A, 
Mosby  remained  behind  with  Company  B,  capturing  a 
picket  post  of  9  men  and  horses  on  the  turnpike  at  the 
crossing  of  the  old  Ox  Road. 

As  Mosby  was  riding  along  the  road  he  saw  a  Federal 
colonel  a  short  distance  ahead.  Thinking  he  had  a  prize, 
Mosby  dashed  up  and  found  himself  within  about  twenty 
yards  of  a  regiment  of  infantry.  Wheeling  his  horse,  he 
came  off  in  a  hurry.  The  infantry  fired  at  him,  without  effect. 

The  Federal  army  now  falling  back  towards  Alexandria, 
Mosby  found  himself  surrounded  on  all  sides.  A  complete 
chain  of  camps  was  around  him,  with  a  line  of  vedettes,  one 
at  every  two  hundred  yards,  through  which  he  must  pass  to 
get  out.  The  enemy  were  aware  of  his  being  inside  their 
lines,  and  endeavored  to  trap  him. 

3  Fairfax  Court  House,  Va.,  October  17,  1863. 
General  MEADE,  Headquarters  : 

I  sent  out  the  two  companies  of  cavalry  at  this  post,  on  the  different  roads, 
to  warn  me  of  the  approach  of  any  enemy;  and  just  learn  that  15  men  were 
captured  about  5  milss  from  here,  on  the  Chantilly  road,  by  about  75  cavalry 
under  Mosby.  Three  have  escaped  and  arrived  here.  I  am  sending  out  4 
companies  of  infantry.  I  have  no  cavalry.  I  have  sent  word  to  Colonel 
Lowell  MICHAEL  CORCORAN, 

Brigadier-  General. 

The  following  received  from  Colonel  Lowell,  at  Vienna  : 

October  18. 

We  have  taken  one  of  Mosby's  men  this  morning,  who  says  that  Mosby, 
with  275  men,  is  prowling  around  below  here  to  take  supply  trains.  It  will  be 
well  to  delay  ail  wagon  trains  without  heavy  escort  till  something  more  definite 
is  learned  about  Mosby's  movements.  If  you  could  post  strong  infantry  pickets 
at  points  between  here  and  Fairfax,  Mosby  might  be  ambushed  on  his  way 
back.  C.  R.  LOWELL,  JR. 

I  will  communicate  the  above  to  General  Buford,  commanding  cavalry,  and 
General  Griffin,  commanding  corps  now  stationed  here.  I  have  just  learned 
that  a  company  of  our  cavalry  has  been  attacked  about  3  miles  from  here 
toward  Alexandria,  and  the  Captain  captured. 

MICHAEL  CORCORAN, 

Brigadier-General  Commanding. 


ico  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Going  to  Lieutenant  Williams,  who  was  in  command  of 
Co.  B,  in  the  absence  of  Captain  Smith,  Mosby  told  him  he 
must  lead  the  company  out  while  he  drew  the  attention  of 
the  enemy  in  another  direction.  Mosby  then  rode  out  in 
view  of  the  enemy  and  started  at  a  gallop  down  the  turn 
pike  towards  Alexandria,  the  Federal  cavalry  in  pursuit. 

Lieutenant  Williams   led  the   company  along   to  Gantts 
Hill,  where  he  suddenly  came  out  on  the  vedette,  saying : 
-Is  all  quiet?" 

"  Yes,"  said  the  soldier,  looking  at  him,  thrown  completely 
off  his  guard  by  the  suddenness  of  his  appearance  and  also 
by  his  question.  Before  he  could  recover  from  his  surprise 
Williams  was  at  his  side  with  a  pistol  at  his  head.  He  was 
taken  from  his  post,  and  the  command  came  through  safely, 
bringing  out  27  prisoners  and  18  horses.  Mosby  also  came 
out,  after  a  close  race. 

Thursday,  October  22. — Lieutenant  Frank  Williams  was 
ordered  by  Mosby  on  a  scout  inside  the  enemy's  lines  in 
Fairfax.  This  territory  was  in  close  proximity  to  the 

Federal  capital  and  well  guarded 
at  the  time.      He  selected  for  his 
^^^Of^i  companions    John    H.      Barnes, 

A  Robert    M.   Harrover,   Dr.   T.    E. 

Stratton  and  Charles  Mason.  They 
struck  the  carefully  guarded 
Federal  picket  line  along  the  Vienna 
jgfa\  and  Fairfax  Court  House  road,  and 

under  cover  of  darkness  passed 
through  without  giving  an  alarm. 
Thcv  AV ere  noAV  in  the  enemy's 
country,  but  in  the  vicinity  of 
Williams'  home.  Feeling  quite  safe 
and  anxious  to  learn  all  possible  of 
the  situation  he  decided  to  call 
JOHN  H.  BARNES,  co.  D.  upon  an  old  family  secant.  This 

From  a  photograph  taken  after  the       old    slaAT6    AVaS    true     to     his     master 

and  the  cause  of  the  South.     They 

approached   the  house  about  midnight.      It  Avas  dark  and 
still.      They  Avere  miles  from  their  comrades,  in  the  midst 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


101 


of  a  hostile  country.  Suddenly  they  rode  right  into  an 
encampment,  not  being-  able  to  see  the  tents  until  they 
Could  almost  touch  them.  Slowly  and  cautiously  they  with 
drew  and  attempted  to  reach  the  colored  man  by  another 
road.  They  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  when  they 
were  met  with  the  command  "Halt!"  and  a  volley  of 
musketry  at  close  range.  They  again  had  to  retreat,  but 
not  before  Harrover  gave  the 
enemy  a  parting  salute  from  his 
revolver,  the  only  shot  fired  by 
Williams' party.  Being  anxious 
to  see  the  old  colored  man  they 
made  another  effort  to  reach 
him,  and  in  crossing  the  Alex 
andria  and  Leesburg  Railroad 
.another  volley  was  fired  at 
them.  Under  these  conditions 
they  concluded  to  postpone  the 
visit  and  strike  out  across  coun 
try  to  Annandale,  on  the  Little 
River  pike.  They  struck  the 
pike  about  daybreak,  and  meet 
ing  a  citizen,  Williams  sought 
to  avoid  him,  but  Barnes  said  he  knew  the  man  well  and 
that  he  was  reliable.  But  it  was  a  case  of  misplaced  confi 
dence,  for  they  were  hardly  out  of  the  man's  sight  when  he 
posted  a  boy  off  to  a  nearby  camp  with  information  of  their 
presence.  From  a  position  where  they  had  a  view  of  the 
pike  they  saw  a  number  of  horses  grazing ;  also  a  body  of 

4  Report  of  Col.  Lafayette  C.  Baker,  First  District  of  Columbia  Cavalry. 

Near  Annandale ;  Oct.  22,  1863. 

This  morning  about  10  o'clock  a  detachment  of  my  battalion,  under  com 
mand  of  Major  E.  J.  Conger,  and  a  detachment  of  the  California  Battalion 
under  command  of  Captain  Eigenbrodt,  encountered  a  squad  of  Mosby's  men 
some  three  miles  this  side  of  Fairfax  Court  House,  ana  near  the  Little  River 
turnpike.  One  of  Mosby's  men  (named  Charles  Mason)  was  shot  and  instantly 
killed.  The  celebrated  guerrilla  Jack  Barnes,  Ed.  Stratton  and  Bill  Harrover, 
were  captured  and  forwarded  to  the  Old  Capitol  Prison.  These  men  state  that 
they  were  looking  for  government  horses  and  sutlers'  wagons.  None  of  ciir 
force  were  injured. 


ROBERT  M.  HARROVER,  CO.  B. 


102 

cavalry  not  far  distant.  After  consultation  they  decided  to 
withdraw,  secret  themselves  in  the  timber,  return  under 
cover  of  night,  and  make  off  with  as  many  horses  as  possible. 

They  moved  off  on  an  unfrequented  road,  Williams  in  the 
lead.  They  had  not  proceeded  far  when  they  heard  the 
word  "Halt!"  Turning  in  his  saddle,  Williams  saw  they 
were  being  pursued  by  a  body  of  40  or  50  cavalry.  As 
there  were  but  five  in  Williams'  party,  resistance  was  out 
of  the  question.  Their  only  safety  was  in  flight.  Their 
horses  were  tired  out  by  the  long  march  and  races  from  the 
pickets  during  the  night,  while  the  horses  of  the  Federal 
cavalry  were  fresh  from  camp. 

"Looking  back,"  said  Williams,  "I  was  dismayed  to  find 
the  Yankees  in  close  pursuit  of  me  and  no  one  of  my  men 
in  sight.  Fortunately  for  me  there  was  a  high  fence  along 
the  road  and  a  thick  wood  on  the  other  side.  I  pulled  my 
horse  up  to  this  fence.  In  one  desperate  effort  I  leaped 
from  the  saddle,  cleared  the  fence  and  made  off  through  the 
woods  on  foot  and  soon  was  out  of  their  sight.  All  during 
the  day  I  remained  in  hiding.  Twice  I  was  compelled,  on 
account  of  the  approach  of  scouting  parties,  to  change  my 
position.  So  long  was  this  day  that  it  seemed  like  the  day 
of  Joshua  of  old,  when  the  sun  had  been  commanded  to 
stand  still.  Welcome  night  at  length  came  on  and  I  lost 
no  time  in  getting  across  the  enemy's  picket  line.  Early 
the  next  morning  I  arrived  at  Hunter's  Mill,  alone,  on  foot, 
without  a  hat  and  ignorant  of  the  fate  of  my  comrades. 
Here  I  received  a  hearty  welcome,  a  good  breakfast  and  a 
Yankee  cap. 

"This  cap  led  to  an  amusing  little  incident.  When  near 
the  town  of  Middleburg  I  was  overtaken  by  some  young 
ladies  who  mistook  me  for  a  Yankee  deserter,  and  suggested 
that  I  surrender  to  them.  To  this  I  agreed,  but  retained 
my  pistols.  After  all  the  dangers  I  had  safely  passed 
through,  I  was  captured.  My  fair  captors  led  their  prisoner 
in  town,  where,  greatly  to  their  astonishment,  I  was  recog 
nized  and  warmly  greeted  by  some  of  our  men. 

"In  Middleburg  I  learned  the  fate  of  my  companions. 
Mason  was  killed ;  Harrover,  Barnes  and  Stratton  were 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  103 

captured.     I  alone  escaped. "4 

The  sequel  to  this  scouting  expedition  came  swiftly  and 
fatally  to  our  enemies,  for  a  few  months  after  this  little 
party  was  so  disastrously  chased  from  Annandale,  this  same 
Federal  cavalry  (the  California  Battalion),  with  others,  was 
met  by  our  men  under  the  direct  command  of  Mosby,  on 
the  Leesburg  pike  above  Dranesville,  and  nearly  wiped  out 
of  existence. 

Tuesday,  October  2jth. — Mosby  left  Salem  (now  called  Mar 
shall]  at  6  P.  M.,  with  about  50  men,  and  two  miles  below 
Warrenton  discovered  a  large  train  of  wagons,  guarded  by 
two  regiments  of  infantry,  which  were  in  the  front  and  rear 
of  the  train.  He  divided  his  men  into  three  parties,  and 
coming  out  on  the  side  of  the  train,  those  in  front,  under 
Captain  William  H.  Chapman,  stopped  the  wagons,  while 
others  set  to  work  unhitching  the  mules  and  horses.  This 
operation  occupied  but  a  few  moments,  and  before  the 
guards  were  fully  aware  of  the  cause  of  the  stoppage, 
Mosby  was  on  his  homeward  journey.6  The  teamsters 
made  signals  to  give  the  alarm,  and  a  regiment  of  cavalry 
was  afterwards  sent  in  pursuit  and  came  into  Salem  next 
morning,  but  too  late  to  overtake  Mosby,  who  had  carried 
off  nearly  200  mules  and  40  horses,  with  their  harness.  A 
great  many  of  the  mules  and  horses  were  lost  in  driving 
them  out,  but  some  were  picked  up  several  days  afterwards. 
One  hundred  and  twenty  mules,  27  horses,  17  white  and  16 
negro  prisoners  were  secured,  however,  together  with  a 
large  quantity  of  harness.  Not  a  shot  was  fired.  The  cap- 

6  Report   of  Major  John    S.    Mosby: 

Fauquicr,  Oct.  27,  1863. 

Last  night  I  attacked  a  long  wagon  train  of  the  enemy  hauling  stores  for  the 
army  at  Warrenton,  from  their  depot  of  supplies  at  Gainesville.  The  point  of 
attack  was  about  the  center  of  the  train  (which  had  a  heavy  guard  of  cavalry, 
artillery  and  infantry  both  in  front  and  rear),  on  the  pike  about  2  miles  from 
New  Baltimore  and  Warrenton  where  there  are  large  Yankee  camps. 

After  unhitching  the  teams  of  from  40  to  50  wagons  I  started  them  off  under 
charge  of  Lieutenant  Turner,  remaining  behind  myself  with  a  few  men  with  the 
intention  of  burning  the  wagons.  A  force  of  Federal  cavalry  appearing  pre 
vented  the  accomplishment  of  my  purpose.  We  succeeded  in  bringing  off  145 
horses  and  mules  and  upward  of  30  negroes  and  Yankees  (among  them  i  cap- 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

tured  horses  were  divided  among  the  men,  and  the  mules, 
prisoners  and  negroes  sent  to  General  Stuart's  headquar 
ters.  When  they  were  brought  in  Stuart  was  much  pleased, 
and  said : 

"  Hurrah  for  Mosby  !  This  is  a  good  haul.  Mules  !  and 
fat,  too ! " 

Late  Saturday  night,  Oct.  31,  two  correspondents  of  the 
New  York  Herald,  L.  A.  Hendricks  and  George  A.  Hart, 
were  captured  at  the  house  of  Mr.  McCormick,  in  Auburn. 
Mosby  gave  them  permission  to  write  letters  home.  In 
Appendix,  XXXIII.,  will  be  found  one  of  those  letters  as 
published  in  the  Herald.  This  gives  a  full  account  of  the 
capture,  etc.,  and  being  written  by  one  of  the  correspond 
ents,  will  be  of  greater  interest  than  any  other  account  I  can 
furnish. 

tain)  to  a  place  of  safety.  Many  of  the  captured  animals  were  lost  in  the  night 
march,  but  I  have  sent  out  a  party  which  I  am  in  hopes  will  succeed  in  recov 
ering  some  of  them.  I  sent  to  you  yesterday  6  cavalrymen  whom  I  captured 
near  Manassas.  In  the  affair  of  the  wagons  I  had  50  men. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

JXO.   S.   MOSBY,  Major. 

[Indorsements.] 

Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  commanding  general. 
This  is  but  another  instance  of  Major  Mosby's  skill  and  daring  in  addition 
to  those  forwarded  almost  daily.  T    E    B    STUART 

Nov.  3,  1S63. 

Noted  with  admiration  at  the  fearlessness  and  skill  of  this  gallant  partisan. 

J.  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary, 

General  MEADE  to  HALLECK  :  "  Last  night  a  supply  train  coming  from  the 
depot  at  Gainesville  was  attacked  between  New  Baltimore  and  Warrenton,  and 
some  100  animals  taken  from  it.  The  train  had  an  escort,  which  was  in  front 
and  rear,  but  was  unable  to.  reach  the  center  of  the  train  before  the  guerrillas 
had  made  off  with  the  animals.  The  wagons  were  left  untouched." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

November  and  December,  1863. — Certificates  of  Membership  Issued — Deserters  and  Horse 
Thieves— The  Rangers  enter  Wagon  Camp  near  Warrentown — Unhitch  Mules  but 
couldn't  get  them  out — Turner  and  the  Sutler — Capture  Five  Wagons  loaded  with  Medi 
cal  Stores  near  Bealeton  Station — Federal  Cavalry  in  pursuit— They  surround  a  house 
where  some  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  stop,  and  Richards  fights  his  way  out— The  ''Charley 
Binns  Raid  "—Good  Haul  of  Mules  at  Brandy  Station— Capture  of  Picket  on  Hazel 
River— Company  C  organized — Close  of  the  year  1863. 

Monday,  November  2,  1863. — There  was  a  meeting  of  the 
command  at  Rectortown.  We  were  drawn  up  in  line  and 
letters  from  Generals  Lee  and  Stuart,  complimentary  to 
Mosby  and  his  command,  were  read  by  Capt.  Wm.  H.  Chap 
man.  The  men  were  furnished  with  printed  certificates 
of  membership  signed  by  Mosby.  This  was  now  a  neces 
sity,  because  men  wearing  Confederate  uniforms,  many  of 
them  deserters  or  absent  from  their  commands  without 
leave,  were  roaming  about  the  country  representing  them, 
selves  as  belonging  to  Mosby 's  command.  The  Major  told 
us  to  arrest  all  horse  thieves  and  deserters  found  and  bring 
them  to  him. 

The  region  of  country  in  which  Mosby  operated  being 
disputed  territory  outside  of  the  lines,  was  left  entirely  un 
protected  during  the  war  by  the  civil  and  military  authori 
ties  on  both  sides,  and  but  for  the  presence  of  "  Mosby's 
Men  "  the  defenseless  people  would  have  been  at  the  mercy 
of  the  roving  bands  of  deserters  left  in  the  tracks  of  both 
armies  as  they  passed  back  and  forth  over  the  country,  from 
Washington  to  Richmond  and  Fredericksburg.  The  moun 
tains  were  infested  with  horse  thieves  and  desperadoes,  who 
were  ready  to  prey  upon  the  inhabitants,  regardless  as  to 
whether  their  sympathies  were  with  the  North  or  South. 
"  Mosby's  Men  "  performed  the  duties  of  police  as  well  as 
soldiers,  and  were  the  sole  guardians  of  the  territory ;  while 
Mosby,  acting  as  military  ruler  and  also  as  judge,  not  only 
kept  the  lawless  element  in  check,  but  also  settled  differ 
ences  between  individuals,  without  the  tedious  process  of 
litigation,  and  without  fear  or  favor. 


106  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

On  the  night  of  November  6th,  Mosby  with  40  men  made 
a  descent  on  a  wagon  camp  near  Warrenton.  There  was 
a  heavy  infantry  guard  at  the  camp  and  sentinels  were 
pacing  around  on  all  sides  :  it  was  necessary  to  remove 
one  in  order  to  permit  the  passage  of  a  party  to  un 
fasten  the  mules  and  horses  from  the  wagons.  This  was 
readily  accomplished  by  Montjoy,  and  about  200  mules  and 
horses  were  unhitched  in  a  very  short  time,  but  after  they 
were  loosed  it  was  found  impossible  to  lead  or  drive  them. 
Coming  to  a  little  ditch  they  refused  to  cross  and  ran  about 


Saltation, 
Partisan  Hangers,  •/%.<&&„  .......  186 

Ott)i0  uTto  Outfits,  Vte      e*j&^ 


acu>: 
a 


THE  AUTHOR'S  CERTIFICATE  OF  MEMBERSHIP. 

in  great  confusion,  braying  and  neighing.  This  aroused  the 
camp.  The  startled  guards  thus  waked  from  their  slumbers 
grasped  their  arms  and  fired  a  volley  into  the  crowd  of  men 
and  mules,  inflicting  no  injury,  however,  on  the  men. 

The  attempt  to  bring  off  all  the  captured  animals  had  to 
be  abandoned,  and  only  12  mules  and  6  horses  were  brought 
away. 

Saturday,  November  14. — Lieutenant  Turner,  with  5  men, 
scouting  in  Fairfax,  lay  in  the  woods  watching  the  road 
between  Vienna  and  Fairfax  Court  House.  In  order  to 
prevent  anyone  from  notifying  the  Federals  of  their  pres 
ence,  they  stopped  all  persons  coming  along  the  road  and 
carried  them  into  the  woods. 

Among  the  wagons  thus  taken  in  was  one  sutler's  team. 
His  goods  were  emptied  in  a  pile — gloves,  calico,  buttons, 
cakes,  crackers,  canned  goods — a  variety  store,  indeed.  One 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS.  IO/ 

wagon  brought  in  carried  a  supply  of  milk  and  this  was 
seized  to  wash  down  the  sutler's  cakes  and  pies.  Cans  of 
oysters  and  turkey  were  broken  open  with  stones  and  the 
Rangers  regaled  themselves,  while  the  sutler,  looking  on 
with  a  melancholy  air,  said :  "  Now,  you've  taken  every 
thing,  what  are  you  going  to  do  with  me  ?  You  are  not 
going  to  take  me  to  Richmond  ?  "  "  Yes,"  said  one,  "you'll 
have  to  go."  He  drew  up  his  face  as  if  in  pain  and  limped 
around,  saying  "  Oh,  I'm  sick.  I  know  I'll  never  live  to 
get  there.  Gentlemen,  I'm  really  sick."  After  a  while  he 
saw  that  they  were  only  amusing  themselves  at  his  expense 
and  that  they  did  not  think  him  of  sufficient  importance  to 
burden  themselves  with  the  task  of  taking  him  to  Rich 
mond.  He  then  soon  recovered  his  health. 

When  leaving,  each  man  put  on  a  pair  of  new  buckskin 
gloves  taken  from  the  stock  and  extended  his  hand  to  bid 
the  sutler  good-by.  He  took  the  men's  hands,  but  his  eyes 
wandered  from  the  gloved  hands  to  the  scattered  remnant  of 
his  stock  lying  around  and  he  could  find  no  words  to  ex 
press  his  feelings,  even  though  he  was  a  sutler. 

His  little  boy  hesitated  for  a  moment  and  then  said  :  ' 

"  Well,  I  suppose  I  must  bid  you  good-by,  but  I  hope  I 
will  never  see  you  again.  I  always  heard  the  rebels  were 
ragged  and  dirty,  but  I  suppose  since  you've  got  to  robbing 
sutlers  you  can  dress  as  well  as  our  men." 

"  Good-by,  son  ;  "  said  John  Sanders,  as  he  trotted  off, 
singing: 

"  When  I  can  shoot  my  rifle  clear, 

At  Yankees  on  the  roads, 
I'll  bid  farewell  to  rags  and  tags 
And  live  on  Sutlers'  loads." 

Friday,  November  Wth. — About  sunset,  Mosby,  with  Captain 
Stringfellow,  one  of  General  Stuart's  scouts,  for  a  guide, 
started  from  The  Plains  with  75  men,  passing  between  New 
Baltimore  and  Warrenton,  and  lay  in  the  pines  until  day 
light.  Gregg's  Division  of  Federal  Cavalry  were  then 
camped  in  the  neighborhood  of  Warrenton. 

At  early  dawn  on  the  2ist  we  moved  off  and  halted  in  the 
woods,  out  of  sight  of  the  road,  near  Bealeton  Station, 


io8 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


Walter  Whaley  and  John  Munson,  who  were  on  picket, 
captured  and  brought  in  a  courier  going  from  one  camp  to 
another  with  mail  and  despatches  ;  he  also  had  in  his  cus 
tody,  when  captured,  a  prisoner  who  was  condemned  to 
death,  and  who  was  therefore  greatly  rejoiced  to  fall  into 
our  hands. 

On  one  side  of  us  was  a  cavalry  camp  and  on  the  other 
an  infantry  camp.  The  rain  was  falling  in  torrents  and  the 
air  was  cold  and  raw,  consequently  our  position  was  any 
thing  but  comfortable,  as  we  lay  for  hours  in  the  woods 
waiting  for  a  train. 

About  noon  a  patrol  of  12  men  passed  along  the  road. 
They  were  suffered  to  pass  unmolested,  and  in  about  half 
an  hour  5  wagons  were  seen  coming  along,  guarded  by 
about  30  cavalry. 

Mosby  ordered  Captain  Smith,  with  Company  B,  to 
charge  in  front  of  the  escort,  while  Lieutenant  Turner,  with 

Company  A,  was  to  take  them 
in  the  rear.  Owing  to  a  mistake 
of  the  guide,  or  too  great  impa 
tience  to  get  at  the  wagons,  both 
companies  came  out  at  nearly  the 
same  point,  and  most  of  the  guard 
escaped  by  running  down  the 
road,  leaving  the  wagons  standing. 
They  were  followed  until  they 
ran  into  an  infantry  picket,  who 
were  busily  preparing  their  din 
ners,  and  we  here  gave  up  the 
chase.  It  was  too  far  to  attempt 
to  bring  out  the  infantry  prison 
ers,  as  we  would  be  inside  the 
Federal  lines  until  we  passed 
Warrenton,  so  they  were  left  behind. 

The  wagons  were  filled  with  valuable  medical  stores,  and 
had  it  been  possible  we  would  have  brought  them  off  and 
sent  them  to  General  Lee.  As  it  was,  a  few  articles  were 
secured  by  some  of  the  more  thoughtful  men  and  turned 
over  to  Dr.  Dunn,  our  surgeon.  Twelve  prisoners,  10  horses 


DR.    W.    L.    DUNN, 

(Our  Doctor.) 
From  a  War-time  photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  109 

and  17  mules  were  captured  and  sent  off  under  guard  to 
Oak  Hill,  while  Company  A  was  detailed  to  follow  on  as 
rear  guard. 

Captain  Stringfellow,  A.  E.  Richards,  then  a  private  in 
Company  B,  and  Ludwell  Knapp,  of  Company  A,  stopped 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  James  K.  Skinker,  about  six  miles  from 
Warrenton,  intending  to  pass  the  night,  while  most  of  the 
men  crossed  the  Bull  Run  Mountains  into  Fauquier.  Detach 
ments  of  Federal  Cavalry  were  sent  in  pursuit  of  us.  One 
of  the  pursuing  parties  surrounded  Skinker's  house,  think 
ing  some  of  our  men  were  there,  and  fired  a  number  of  shots 
through  the  doors  and  windows  ;  then  they  searched  the 
house  from  top  to  bottom.1 

1   Report  of   Brig. -Gen.    John    C.     Robinson,     U.    S.    A.,    Commanding    Second 
Division,  First  Army  Corps. 

November  21,  1863. 

ROBINSON  to  KINGSBURY  :  "  A  body  of  rebel  cavalry,  variously  estimated  at 
from  50  to  100  men,  attacked  a  train  of  3  wagons  and  2  ambulances  on  the  way 
to  the  cavalry  camp  near  Fayetteville  about  noon  to-day.  The  escort  was 
driven  into  the  picket  line  of  my  camp  at  Liberty,  where  the  pursuing  party 
was  arrested.  One  sergeant  was  wounded  slightly,  and  one  private  on  an  ad 
vanced  picket  post  captured.  Some  2  or  3  others  were  captured,  but  escaped. 
The  Sixteenth  Maine  Volunteers  was  immediately  sent  out,  and  word  sent  to 
General  Gregg,  who  ordered  out  a  squadron  of  cavalry.  The  rebel  force  was 
dressed  in  our  uniform,  and  are  supposed  to  belong  to  Mosby's  gang.  The 
animals  attached  to  the  wagons  were  taken  off,  but  they  had  no  time  to  rifle  the 
wagons.  The  men  on  picket  behaved  well.  A  fuller  report  will  be  sent  as 
soon  as  possible." 

November  22,  1863 

General  GREGG  to  Col.  C.  Ross  SMITH  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that 
the  party  sent  out  yesterday  afternoon  in  pursuit  of  the  guerrillas  who  made  the 
attack  on  the  wagons  going  to  Fayetteville  hotly  chased- the  party  to  within  a 
mile  of  Thoroughfare  Gap.  At  about  8  p.  m.,  and  when  about  to  be  overtaken, 
the  guerrillas  scattered  to  houses.  A  house  in  which  it  was  supposed  some  had 
taken  refuge  was  surrounded,  the  door  was  broken  down  (admission  having 
been  refused)  and  3  guerrillas  were  found.  Of  these  2  were  captured  and  the 
other  escaped  by  a  back  door.  One  of  the  captured  guerrillas  was  badly 
wounded.  Seven  horses  and  2  mules  and  some  U.  S.  saddles  and  clothing  were 
recovered.  The  party  that  was  thus  pursued  was  commanded  by  a  Captain 
Turner.  Mosby  is  off  in  the  direction  of  Manassas  with  the  greater  portion  of 
his  command. 

"  I  have  to-day  a  regiment  off  toward  Salem,  where  it  is  reported  there  is  a 
nest  of  guerrillas.  This  regiment  has  for  a  guide  one  of  Mosby's  men  captured 
two  days  ago.  The  guerrilla  Lucas,  captured  last  night,  has  a  certificate  of 


IIO  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

At  the  first  alarm  Stringfellow  and  Knapp  ran  upstairs, 
and  hiding  in  the  garret,  were  covered  with  some  loose  floor 
ing  by  a  faithful  colored  servant ;  but  Richards,  less  fortu 
nate,  fell  on  the  stairs.  Being  thus  left  behind,  he  determined 
to  fight  his  way  out.  With  pistols  in  hand  he  jumped  into 
the  yard,  drove  off  a  couple  of  soldiers  who  attempted  to 
bar  his  passage,  and  escaped  on  foot  in  the  darkness.  He  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  a  horse  from  a  friend,  when  he  fell  in  with 
the  same  party  near  Salem,  and  exchanged  shots,  but  again 
escaped,  with  a  slight  wound  in  the  arm. 

Sunday,  November  <2<2. — A  body  of  cavalry,  composed  of 
detachments  from  the  Second  Massachusetts  and  Six 
teenth  New  York,  under  Colonel  Lowell,  came  last  night  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Middleburg,  where  they  were  joined 
by  another  detachment  from  the  Second  Massachusetts 
Cavalry,  the  whole  force  numbering  about  300  men.  They 
were  piloted  by  "  Yankee  "  Davis  and  Charles  Binns.2  Binns 
had  been  a  member  of  Mosby 's  command.  While  on  a 
drunken  frolic  he  committed  some  acts  of  rascality  for  which 

membership  in  the  Partisan  Rangers  signed  by  Major  Mosby.  I  hope  Lucas 
will  be  brought  before  a  military  commission  and  be  made  an  example  of. 

"  In  the  attack  made  by  Mosby  on  our  pickets  at  Warrenton  4  days  ago,  he 
had  5  men  wounded. 

"  The  loss  in  the  escort  to  the  wagons  yesterday  was  3  men  captured." 


3  Colonel  Lowell,  in  his  report  dated  Vienna,  November  17,  says:  "The 
man  Binns  arrived  safely  and  gives  information  which  leads  me  to  hope  that 
an  expedition  to  start  to-morrow  will  be  successful  in  taking  some  prisoners." 

Vienna,  Nov.  26,  1863. 

LOWELL  to  TAYLOR  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  accordance  with 
your  instructions  Captain  Rumery,  with  25  mounted  and  75  dismounted  men  of 
the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  was  on  the  i8th  inst.  sent  out  toward  the 
Blue  Ridge  to  endeavor  to  capture  guerrillas.  He  had  orders  to  march  chiefly 
by  night,  to  show  only  his  mounted  men  by  day  and  keep  the  presence  of  the 
dismounted  party  an  entire  secret.  He  took  as  guides  Yankee  Davis  and  the 
deserter  Binns. 

"  The  party  passed  near  Frying  Pan  and  Gum  Springs,  crossed  the  Negro 
mountain  and  Goose  Creek  to  Mountville,  thence  up  the  north  side  of  Goose 
Creek  to  Rectors  Cross  Roads.  On  Sunday  morning  at  daybreak  I  joined  them 
by  agreement  at  a  point  between  Middleburg  and  Rectors  Cross  Roads,  with 
100  mounted  men,  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  and  50  of  the  Sixteenth  New 
York  Cavalry.  Having  learned  exactly  what  information  Captain  Rumery  had 
obtained,  Lieutenant  Sim,  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  with  40  mounted 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  Ill 

Mosby  ordered  his  arrest.  In  order  to  escape  the  punish 
ment  he  knew  he  deserved  and  which  he  feared  Mosby 
would  inflict,  he  deserted  and  fled  to  the  Federal  camp  in 
Fairfax.  Being  familiar  with  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of 
Middleburg,  he  carried  the  Federal  cavalry  around  to 
places  where  he  knew  they  were  likely  to  find  Confederate 
soldiers,  particularly  those  houses  where  Mosby's  men  made 
their  homes.  Some  12  or  15  were  captured,  most  of  them 
being  taken  from  their  beds. 

Thursday .November 26th. — It  being  reported  that  the  Fed 
eral  forces  camped  at  Warrenton  had  crossed  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  and  that  the  whole  of  Meade's  Army  was  in  motion, 
Mosby  ordered  the  command  to  assemble  at  Rectortown. 
One  hundred  and  twenty-five  men  answered  the  summons 
and  marched  to  Coon's  Mill,  while  Mosby,  with  Montjoy, 
Walter  Whaley  and  Guy  Broadwater,  went  forward  to 
reconnoitre.  At  Brandy  Station  was  a  heavy  wagon  train 
with  an  infantry  guard.  Mosby  determined  to  attack  the 
camp  at  night.  He  ordered  Montjoy  with  one  party  to  fire 
the  wagons ;  Captains  Smith  and  William  H.  Chapman,  each 
in  command  of  a  party,  were  to  drive  off  the  mules.  In  the 
meantime  Lieutenant  Turner  was  to  hold  the  remainder  of 
the  command  in  reserve,  to  be  in  readiness  in  case  of  attack. 

men,  was  sent  northward  through  Philomont ;  Captain  Rumery,  with  another 
40,  southward  through  White  Plains,  across  Manassas  Gap  railroad  and  back 
across  Bull  Run  mountain  by  Hopewell  Gap  ;  Lieutenant  Manning,  Second 
Massachusetts,  with  50  dismounted  men,  crossed  the  mountain  a  few  miles 
south  of  Aldie,- where  Mosby  was  said  to  have  a  rendezvous  ;  the  remainder  of 
the  force  to  move  down  the  pike  and  wait  for  these  parties  at  Mount  Zion 
Church,  near  Aldie.  The  last  party  reached  the  church  about  midnight  and  all 
returned  to  camp  on  Monday  night  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

"  There  were  captured  (chiefly  by  Captain  Rumery's  dismounted  party)  18 
uniformed  soldiers,  who  claimed  to  be  Mosby's  men  and  were  provided  with  his 
passes,  though  in  some  cases  belonging  to  regular  regiments,  7  notorious  smug 
glers  and  horse  thieves,  besides  one  of  Mosby's  men  killed  and  one  prisoner 
who  escaped,  and  35  horses,  13  sets  of  horse  equipments,  25  revolvers  of  vari 
ous  patterns  and  30  army  blankets. 

"  Captain  Rumery  managed  his  part  of  the  expedition  with  great  judgment 
The  deserter  Binns  proved  of  great  assistance.  As  I  wish  to  employ  him 
again  on  similar  work,  and  as  he  shows  no  unwillingness  to  expose  himself,  I 
recommend  that  he  be  allowed  the  same  pay  as  other  Government  scouts  while 
in  my  employ." 


112  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

The  wagons  were  standing  around,  while  beside  them  the 
mules  were  fastened  and  stood  lazily  dozing.  Some  of  the 
teamsters  were  sleeping,  rolled  up  in  their  blankets,  while 
others  were  sitting  around  the  fires,  chatting  and  smoking. 
The  sentinels  were  quietly  taken  from  their  posts,  and  every 
precaution  used  to  avoid  giving  an  alarm.  As  Mosby  rode 
along  among  the  wagons  a  quartermaster,  mistaking  him  for 
one  of  his  own  men,  asked  ;  "  Have  they  gone  ?"  "  No,  "said 
Mosby,  "just  going."  He  rode  off  without  the  quarter 
master  discovering  his  error. 

A  group  of  negroes  were  sitting  around  one  of  the  fires  en 
joying  the  warmth  as  only  negroes  can,  when  Captain  Chap 
man,  drawing  his  revolver,  told  them  he  would  shoot  the  first 
one  who  made  any  noise.  With  trembling  voices  they  begged 
him  not  to  shoot.  In  the  meantime  the  men  busied  them 
selves  in  unhitching  the  mules  from  the  wagons. 

One  old  negro,  poking  his  head  out  from  under  his 
blanket,  looking  like  a  huge  turtle  peering  from  his  shell, 
said  : 

"  Look  heah  !  Go  'long  'way  frum  dem  mules.  You  jes' 
want  to  steal  one." 

Another,  observing  the  gray  uniforms  by  the  flickering 
light  of  a  camp-fire,  said  in  a  low  voice  : 

"  Hush,  Bill ;  dem's  rebs— dem's  Moseley's  Men  !  " 

At  length  a  shot  was  fired  by  some  one  and  then  ensued 
a  scene  of  confusion  baffling  description.  Negroes  and 
whites  ran  wildly  about  in  their  alarm.  The  negroes  par 
ticularly  appeared  to  be  unable  to  decide  on  what  was  to  be 
done— 

"  Please,  Massa,  don't  shoot!     Which  way  mus'  I  run?" 

"  Unhitch  them  mules!" 

"  Yes,  massa." 

Then  they  would  set  to  work  with  trembling  hands,  all 
the  while  looking  anxiously  and  fearfully  around.  Occa 
sionally  an  order  would  be  heard  given  to  one  of  them  : 
"  Jump  on  that  mule  !  "  And  now  and  then  would  be  heard 
a  heavy  thump  as  some  mischievous  mule  would  land  an  un 
fortunate  darkey  upon  the  ground  and  run  off,  kicking  up  its 
heels  and  braying  vehemently. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  113 

"  Please,  massa,  don't  let  me  git  on  dat  mule  any  mo' ;  he 
never  bin  rode  befo'." 

An  Irishman,  running  up  to  one  of  our  men,  said  hur 
riedly  : 

"  Indade,  sur,  I  niver  fired  a  gun  agin  yees  in  my  life." 

"  What  the  devil  are  you  doing  here,  then  ?  " 

"  I'm  a  tamester,  sur ;  I'm  partly  engaged  in  dhrivin' 
cattle." 

He  jumped  up  behind  one  of  our  men  and  rode  off 
to  lend  a  helping  hand  in  gathering  up  the  scattered 
mules. 

After  taking  the  mules  we  set  fire  to  the  wagons.     Amid 
the  confusion  one  very  ugly  old   negro,  awakened  by  the 
bustle,  put  his  head  out 
of    the  wagon,    where 
he  had  been  enjoying 
a  comfortable  nap,  and 
seeing   his    wagon   on 
fire,  exclaimed : 

"  Tore  God,  who  dun 
sot  my  wagon  afire  ?  " 
and  jumped  to  the 
ground. 

An  individual  in  the 
garb  of  a  civilian,  with 
a  valise  or  satchel  in 
his  hand,  was  seen 
walking  off,  in  the 
light  of  the  fires.  Char 
ley  Tyler,  thinking  he 
might  be  a  paymaster 
or  a  sutler  making  off 
with  his  money  or  E.  F.  WAYMAN,  co.  c. 

Valuables,     Spurred    his  From  a  photograph  taken  after  the  war. 

horse   after   him,  and, 

with  pistol  levelled  at  his  head,  called  out,  "Halt!  Halt!'* 
But  the  man  paid  no  attention  to  the  call  and  kept  on  his 
way,  looking  neither  to  the  left  nor  right.  Tyler  followed 
for  some  distance,  threatening  to  shoot  if  he  did  not  halt 


114  MOSBYS   RANGERS. 

and  surrender,  but  at  last  reined  up  his  horse  and  returned. 
One  of  our  men,  who  had  witnessed  the  affair,  said  to  him  as 
he  came  up : 

"  Why  didn't  you  shoot  him,  Charley  ?  " 
With  a  look  of  disgust,  Tyler  answered  : 
"  Do  you  think  I'd  shoot  such  a  d— d  fool  ?" 
The  infantry  guarding  the  train  were  grouped  around 
their  fires  when   the  alarm  was  given.     They  seized  their 
arms,  and  their  officers  were  soon  forming  them  as  best  they 

could.    Our   men   were   so 

_____  scattered   about   the   camp 

in  every  direction  that  the 
firing  upon  them  by  the  in- 
fantry  did  very  little  dam 
age.  One  man  received  a 
ball  in  his  thigh,  and  Mos- 
by's  horse  was  shot  in  the 
breast. 

After  the  command  had 
moved  off  a  short  distance 
from  the  camp,  the  whole 
scene  was  lighted  up  by  the 
burning  wagons,  presenting 
a  picture  of  war  well  wor 
thy  of  an  artist's  pencil. 

We  captured  160  mules 
and  7  horses,  with  a  large 
quantity  of  harness  ;  also  a 

FRENCH  FRISTOE,  co.  B.  number  of  prisoners,  mostly 

From  a  photograph.  teamsters.     Thirty  head  of 

cattle  were  taken,  but  we 

were  compelled  to  leave  them  behind.  The  large  number 
of  wagons  and  great  quantity  of  supplies  burned  was  a  very 
serious  loss  to  the  enemy. 

Friday,  November  27. — A  body  of  Federal  cavalry  having 
pitched  their  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Hazel  River,  Mosby 
sent  Lieut.  Thomas  Turner,  with  Montjoy,  Henry  S.  Ashby 
and  three  others,  to  reconnoitre  their  position  and  see  what 
the  chances  were  for  a  successful  foray.  Crossing  the  river, 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


Turner  concealed  his  men  in  a  thicket  while  he  rode  out  in 
view  of  the  camp.  A  cavalryman,  coming  out  to  see  who 
he  was,  found  himself  a  prisoner,  and  another  following 
shared  the  same  fate.  With  his  two  prisoners  in  front, 
Turner  now  advanced  on  a  picket  of  10  men  posted  a  short 
distance  from  the  camp.  As  our  men  drew  near  they  were 
ordered  to  halt,  but  seeing 
their  own  men  in  front,  the 
pickets  allowed  them  to  ap 
proach  until  they  suddenly 
found  themselves  covered  by 
the  pistols  of  Turner  and  his 
men,  who  compelled  them 
to  surrender.  They  then  re- 
crossed  the  river,  bringing 
over  the  12  prisoners,  with 
their  horses  and  equipments. 
The  Federals  sent  out  a  party 
of  cavalry  in  pursuit,  but  they 
soon  gave  up  the  chase  and 
returned  to  their  camp. 

Tuesday,  December  Ib. — Com 
pany  C  was  organized  at  Rec- 
tortown.  William  H.  Chap 
man,  of  Page,  was  elected  Cap 
tain  ;  Adolphus  E.  Richards, 

of  Loudoun,  First  Lieutenant ;  Frank  Fox,  of  Fairfax,  Second 
Lieutenant,  and  Frank  Yeager,  of  Page,  Third  Lieutenant. 

Scott,  in  his  "  Partisan  Life  with  Col.  John  S.  Mosby ," 
says : 

"  Capt.  William  H.  Chapman  was  21  years  of  age  the  very 
day  that  the  Ordinance  of  Secession  was  passed  at  Rich 
mond.  He  was  at  that  time  a  student  at  the  University  of 
Virginia,  and  belonged  to  a  company  of  students  which  was 
ordered  to  Harper's  Ferry  for  active  duty,  but  was  soon 
disbanded  by  Governor  Letcher  for  the  sufficient  reason  that 
those  who  belonged  to  it  might  return  to  their  homes,  and 
there  recruit,  drill  and  officer  troops  for  the  Southern  army. 
Chapman  was  elected  lieutenant  in  the  Dixie  Battery,  which 
went  from  Page,  his  native  county,  and  was  afterward  pro- 


HENRY  S.  ASHBY,  CO.  B. 

From  a  photograph  taken  during  the  war. 


Il6  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

moted  to  the  captaincy,  a  position  which  he  filled  with  great 
credit  until  the  consolidation  of  batteries  in  January,  1863, 
by  which  act  so  many  meritorious  officers  lost  their  com 
mands.  Still  holding  his  artillery  commission,  he  was  as 
signed  to  duty  as  enrolling  officer  for  Fauquier  County,  but 
his  official  duties  were  often  interrupted  by  the  incursions 
ot  the  enemy.  This,  however,  afforded  him  an  opportunity 
for  mingling  in  more  congenial  scenes,  and  he  often  volun 
teered  to  go  with  Mosby  on  his  raids." 

Lieut.  Adolphus  E.  Richards,  from  Loudoun  County,  near 
Upperville,  served  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  under  Gen. 
Turner  Ashby,  and  was  afterwards  on  the  staff  of  Gen. 
William  E.  Jones,  who  succeeded  Ashby,  but  resigned  his 
commission  and  joined  Mosby  as  a  private  in  Company  B. 

On  Christmas  Day,  1863,  a  detachment  of  the  Thirteenth 
New  York  Cavalry,  piloted  by  Charley  Binns,  came  up  from 
Vienna  to  the  neighborhood  of  Leesburg,  searching  houses, 
but  doing  no  great  damage.  They  picked  up  a  few  men, 
mostly  citizens.  As  they  marched  at  night,  their  movements 
attracted  but  little  attention.3 

During  the  dead  of  winter  there  was  but  little  to  be 
done.  The  armies  had  all  gone  into  winter  quarters,  and 
the  cavalry  were  recruiting  horses  preparatory  to  the  open 
ing  of  the  spring  campaign.  Scouts  who  were  sent  out  in 
all  directions,  and  parties  "  going  on  raids,"  generally  re 
turned  unsuccessful.  The  camps  were  too  strong  to  be  at 
tacked  by  Mosby  with  his  small  force,  and,  dispensing  with 
pickets,  few  of  them  had  more  than  a  camp  guard.  For  a 
season  quiet  reigned,  broken  only  by  an  occasional  raiding 


3  Vienna,  Dec.  27,  1863. 

LOWELL  to  TAYLOR  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  party  of  10 
mounted  and  40  dismounted  men  of  the  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry  under 
Major  Coles,  with  Binns  as  guide,  sent  out  night  before  last,  scouted  the  country 
as  far  as  Leesburg  and  carefully  this  side  of  Broad  Run.  They  searched  houses 
and  brought  in  8  prisoners,  among  whom  was  Pettingall  (a  notorious  scout),  Joe 
White,  Bridges  (one  of  Mosby's  men),  and  Beavers,  with  other  suspicious  citi 
zens  pointed  out  by  Binns. 

"  They  found  no  large  force.  Mosby  had  been  at  Guilford  Station  with  80 
men  the  day  before.  A  few  shots  were  exchanged  with  a  small  mounted  party 
who  scattered  through  the  woods.  Another  party  of  30  men  sent  out  at  the 
same  time  have  not  returned." 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  I  I/ 

party,  hunting  for  Mosby.  Many  of  our  officers  and  men 
procured  furloughs  to  spend  the  holiday  season  at  their 
homes  or  with  friends  at  a  distance.  The  thoughts  of 
others  were  with  the  little  ones  at  home,  who  \\  :>uld  miss 
papa's  usual  presence  at  Christmastide. 

The  severity  of  the  wintry  weather,  the  scarcity  of  all  the 
necessaries  of  life,  the  high  prices,  and  the  reverses  which 
the  Confederates  had  experienced  in  the  last  campaign, 
combined  with  the  sadness  felt  for  the  loss  of  relatives  and 
friends,  shed  a  deep  gloom  over  this  usually  festive  season. 


WHY    DON'T     PAPA    COME     HOME? 


CHAPTER  VII. 

January,  1864 — Detachment  of  Cole's  Battalion  routed  at  Five  Points,  between  Rectortown  and 
Middleburg — Capture  of  Picket  Post  of  Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  on  Lee's  Ridge  - 
Captain  Stringfellow — Attack  on  Camp  of  Cole's  Battalion  on  Loudoun  Heights— The 
Battle  in  the  Snow— A  desperate  Fight — Repulse  of  Mosby— Death  of  Captain  Smith 
and  Lieutenant  Turner — Mosby  loses  many  of  his  bravest  and  best  men. 

Friday,  January  1,  186 4. — A  detachment  of  Cole's  Sec 
ond  Battalion  Maryland  Cavalry,  composed  of  a  detail  of 
20  men  from  each  company,  numbering  in  all  80  men,  under 
command  of  Capt.  A.  N.  Hunter,  came  from  Harper's  Ferry 
on  a  scout  and  in  search  of  Mosby.  In  passing-  through 
Upperville  one  of  their  number  was  killed.  They  proceeded 
on  to  Rectortown,  where  they  remained  some  time.  A 
meeting  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  had  been  ordered  at  this  place, 
but  the  men  on  coming  to  the  town,  finding  it  occupied  by 
the  enemy,  rode  around  and  were  seen  on  every  little  hill 
and  knoll,  watching  their  movements. 

Mosby  collected  about  10  or  15  men.  It  was  difficult  to 
get  the  men  together,  as  many  would  not  approach  large 
parties  through  fear  of  their  being  enemies.  Captain  Smith 
of  Company  B,  with  32  men,  went  into  town  as  soon  as 
Cole's  men  had  left,  and  getting  on  their  trail,  followed 
them  out  on  the  Salem  road.  Cole's  party  turned  off,  cross 
ing  the  fields,  in  the  direction  of  Middleburg.  Captain  Smith 
cut  across  the  country  to  come  out  on  their  flank  hear  Five 
Points.  Soon  shots  were  heard  in  front,  as  Montjoy, 
Henry  Ashby  and  John  Edmonds,  who  were  riding  in  ad 
vance  came  upon  their  rear.  Our  men  drew  tneir  pistols, 
and  with  Smith  at  their  head,  charged  with  a  yell.  At  the 
first  fire  Captain  Hunter's  horse  was  shot  and  he  was  made 
prisoner.  The  Federals  seemed  more  determined  on  flight 
than  fight,  and  hurried  on  towards  Middleburg.  Captain 
Smith  followed,  but  had  to  send  a  great  portion  of  his  force 
back  with  prisoners  and  horses. 

118 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


119 


Mosby,  seeing  Smith's  command  in  the  town,  thought  it 
still  occupied  by  the  enemy  and  manoeuvred  around  cau 
tiously,  but  when  they  moved  off 
he  rode  into  town.  Learning 
that  they  were  a  portion  of  his 
own  command  and  had  gone  in 
pursuit  of  the  Federals,  he  dashed 
off  and  soon,  too,  was  on  the 
track  of  the  raiders,  who  had 
scattered  and  were  now  fleeing 
in  every  direction,  closely  pur 
sued  by  our  men.  It  was  a  reg 
ular  Gilpin  chase.  Cole's  men 
threw  away  bags  of  corn,  sabres, 
carbines,  pistols  and  everything 
they  could  well  rid.  themselves 
of,  and  some,  as  though  thinking 
their  horses  not  fleet  enough, 
jumped  down,  and  leaving  them 
in  the  road,  ran  through  the 
woods  on  foot. 

In  this  affair  but  two  of  "  Mos- 
by's  Men  "  were  wounded — John  Gulick  severely.  Four  of 
the  Federals  were  killed,  10  or  12  wounded  and  41  captured. 
Over  50  horses  fell  into  our  hands. 

Three  of  Cole's  men,  with  their  horses,  were  picked  up 
near  Waterford  and  one  near  Salem  on  the  day  after  the 
fight,  and  one  between  Middleburg  and  Rectortown  on  the 
3d  of  January.  The  men  had  wandered  off  and  escaped  for 
the  time,  but  not  knowing  where  to  go,  were  afterwards 
captured. 

In  the  following  report  sent  in  by  Mosby  about  this  time 
will  be  found  mention  of  this  affair : 

Report  of  Major  John  S.  Mosby. 

Major  H.  B.  McCLELLAN,  January  4,  1864. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

MAJOR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  during  the 
month  of  December  there  were  captured  by  this  command 


COL.  HENRY  A.  COLE, 
First  Maryland  Potomac  Home  Brigade 

(Cole's  Battalion). 

From  a  photograph  taken  during  the 
war. 


I2O  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

over  100  horses  and  mules  and  about  100  prisoners.  A  con 
siderable  number  of  the  enemy  have  also  been  killed  and 
wounded.  It  would  be  too  tedious  to  mention  the  various 
occasions  on  which  we  have  met  the  enemy,  out  there  is 
one  which  justice  to  a  brave  officer  demands  to  be  noticed. 
On  the  morning  of  January  i,  I  received  information  that  a 
body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  in  Upperville.  It  being 
the  day  on  which  my  command  was  to  assemble,  I  directed 
Capt.  William  R.  Smith  to  take  command  of  the  men  while 
I  went  toward  Upperville  to  ascertain  the  movements  of 
the  enemy.  In  the  meantime  the  enemy  had  gone  on  to 
ward  Rectortown,  and  I  pursued,  but  came  up  just  as  Capt. 
Smith  with  about  35  men  had  attacked  and  routed  them  (78 
strong),  killing,  wounding  and  capturing  57. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
JNO.  S.  MOSBY, 

Major  Commanding. 

[First  Indorsement.] 

HDQRS.  CAVALRY  CORPS,  February  13,  1864. 

Respectfully  forwarded. 

A  subsequent  report  of  subsequent  operations  has  been 
already  sent  in,  this  having  been  mislaid.  Major  Mosby 
continues  his  distinguished  services  in  the  enemy's  rear,  re 
lieving  our  people  of  the  depredations  of  the  enemy  in  a 
great  measure.  j  R  R  STUART,  Major-General. 

[Second  Indorsement.] 

February  15,  1864. 

A  characteristic  report  from  Colonel  Mosby,  who  has  be 
come  so  familiar  with  brave  deeds  as  to  consider  them  too 
tedious  to  treat  unless  when  necessary  to  reflect  glory  on 
his  gallant  comrades.  Captain  Smith's  was  a  brilliant  and 
most  successful  affair.  j  A  ^  (SEDDON.) 

An  article  published  in  one  of  the  papers  north  of  the 
Potomac  a  short  time  after  the  fight  stated  that  this  party 
was  "  attacked  by  700  of  Rosser's  Brigade,  and  of  the  75  or 
80  Federals  engaged,  but  18  escaped,  many  of  whom  were 
badly  frozen."  * 

1  The  following  is  the  Federal  list  of  prisoners  and  missing  : 
Company  A.     (Captain  Vernon.) — Joseph   Betson,    F.  Kline,  J.    A.    Crome. 
Jas.  Edwards,  D.  C.   Grams,    E.   V.   Harris,  C.   Horine,  D.  Jones,  J.  A.  Kelly, 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS.  121 

Wednesday,  January  6th  — Lieutenant  Turner  left  Salem 
about  sunset  with  32  men,  and  keeping  along  the  west  side 
of  Watery  Mountain  crossed  the  pike  near  Warrenton.  It 
was  a  bitter  cold  night,  with  the  thermometer  registering 
below  zero  and  the  ground  covered  with  snow.  There  was 
a  picket  post  on  Lee's  Ridge,  and  the  command  was  left  at 
a  house  to  warm  themselves,  while  Lieutenant  Turner  with 
4  or  5  men  went  forward  to  find  out  something  about  the 
the  post.  Soon  they  came  upon  two  men  who  had  been 
placed  on  picket,  but  had  gone  into  a  little  hollow  to  shelter 
themselves  from  the  cold  wind.  Gregg's  Division  of  Cav 
alry  was  camped  around  in  the  neighborhood,  but  Turner 
did  not  know  the  exact  situation  of  the  camps,  though  we 
could  see  the  camp-fires  blazing. 

As  soon  as  the  pickets  saw  Turner  they  mounted  their 
horses,  and  one  of  them  immediately  galloped  off  to  camp. 
Signalling  for  the  men  to  get  between  the  remaining  picket 
and  the  fires,  Turner  advanced  on  the  man,  who  leveled  his 
carbine  and  called  out : 

"  Halt !  Who  goes  there  ?  " 

"  Friends,"  said  Turner. 

"Advance,  one." 

Turner  put  his  hand  under  his  cape,  drew  his  pistol,  and 
riding  up  to  the  picket  suddenly  pointed  it  at  his  head  and 
commanded  him  to  surrender.  The  carbine  was  instantly 
dropped  with  the  exclamation: 

"  I  knew  you  were  '  Mosby's  men.'  ' 

This  occurred  about  9  p.  m.     The  prisoner    was    taken 


E.  W.  Moore,  J.  H.  Shaefer,  J.  H.  Slott,  A.  J  Slottlemeyer,  C.  Sweeney,  C.  S. 
Wachter,  J.  W.  Watson,  Geo.  Young. 

Company  B.  (Captain  W.  Fiery.)—  Sergt.  P.  M.  Bell,  Wm.  H.  Butts,  R.  P. 
Delhi,  G.  W.  Heilmer,  D.  R.  Holland,  W.  S.  Myers,  J.  Newcomer,  J.  Sniffer 
cool,  A.  Turner,  W.  Wentz,  J.  Wiley. 

Company  C.  (Captain  A.  M.  Hunter.) — Sergt.  J.  E.  Wilson,  Corpl.  G.  W. 
Shriver,  Bugler  M.  J.  Coble,  A.  M.  Fritchez,  T.  Files,  J.  Hertzell,  J.  Sponceler, 
E.  Wenschof,  W.  J.  Waddle,  W.  B.  Wenk,  J.  McCullough. 

Company  D.  (Captain  F.  Gallagher.) — Sergt.  J.  S.  Sakers,  Corpl.  D.  C. 
Nicewoner,  R.  B.  Beal,  Wm.  Carr,  F.  Delivan,  Thomas  Hawk,  Wm.  Millhol- 
land,  D.  McGuigan,  J.  E.  McCabe,  J.  Moore,  Wm.  Reindollar,  G.  E.  Steele, 
Wm.  Turner,  C.  B.  Bennett. 


122 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


back  to  where  the  command  had  been  left.  Turner,  as  he 
was  leaving,  turned  towards  the  reserve  picket,  where  the 
fires  were  burning  brightly,  and  said : 

"  I  will  come  back  directly  and  play  the  mischief  with 
those  fellows." 

After  the  prisoner  was  taken  out  Turner  said  to  him : 
"  I  want  you  now  to  tell  me  truth,  and  nothing  else ;  if 
you  do  not,  it  will  be  worse  for  you." 

"  You  needn't  fear,"  said  the  prisoner,  "  I'll  tell  you  all 
about  the  post,  and  go  with  you,  too." 

This  he  did,  and  sat  on  his  horse  while  we  charged  the 

picket.  There  was  a  reserve 
post  of  40  men ;  8  men  were 
usually  on  post  on  the  ridge, 
but  on  this  night  all  had  been 
drawn  in  but  two. 

About  4  o'clock  in  the 
morning  Turner  led  his  men 
to  the  rear  of  the  post  and 
then  along  the  pike.  The 
sound  of  the  wind  whistling 
through  the  trees  drowned 
the  clatter  of  the  horses'  feet 
on  the  frozen  pike.  Soon 
we  came  in  sight  of  the 
blazing  watchfires  on  the 
roadside.  Lieutenant  Tur 
ner  said  : 
WALTER  w.  GOSDEN,  co.  E.  «  Go  along  quietly— make 

From  a  War-time  photograph.  nQ      unnecessary       noisCj      and 

when  the  head  of  the  column  reaches  the  last  fire  the  rear 
will  be  at  the  first.  Then,  when  the  command  is  given  to 
charge,  wheel  your  horses  and  fire.  They  will  think 
we  are  their  own  men  until  we  get  close  enough  to 
charge." 

The  main  body  was  encamped  but  a  short  distance  from 
the  post. 

When     opposite     the     fires    Turner    gave    the    word — 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS.  123 

"  Charge  !"  and  the  men  wheeled  their  horses  and  dashed  in 
among  the  surprised  and  affrighted  party,  firing  as  they 
went.  A  few  of  them  dropped  around  the  fires,  and  the 
rest  threw  up  their  arms,  exclaiming  : 

"  For  God's  sake,  don't  shoot !     We  surrender." 

The  captain  in  command,  Gillmore,  was  shot.  One  of  the 
prisoners  said : 

"  Indade,  I'm  glad  yees  came,  and  if  yees  had  rode  up  and 
surrounded  us,  yees  might  have  taken  us  all  without  firing  a 
shot,  for  we  wor  all  so  cold ;  and  we  would  rather  go  to 
Richmond,  no  matter  how  hard  we  wor  treated,  than  to 
stand  picket  on  that  bleak  mountain." 

They  were  a  portion  of  the  Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 
They  stated  that  the  picket  who  first  escaped  came  into 
camp  and  said  the  Rebs  had  captured  his  comrade,  and  that 
he  saw  4  or  5.  When  the  pickets  were  relieved,  the  relief 
seeing  no  signs  of  Confederates  about,  came  to  the  conclu 
sion  that  we  had  gone.  They  were  standing  or  sitting 
around  the  fires,  as  one  of  the  prisoners  told  us,  talking  over 
the  matter  and  joking  one  another  on  the  probability  of 
Mosby  dashing  in  and  taking  them  to  Richmond,  when, 
said  he — "  You  charged  in  and  tuk  the  hull  of  us." 

Eight  or  ten  Federals  were  killed  and  wounded,  20  prison 
ers  and  46  horses  captured.  [See  Mosby 's  Report,  Appen 
dix,  VIII.] 

A  picket  who  was  stationed  on  the  pike,  sat  on  his  horse 
while  the  firing  was  going  on,  and  as  our  men  rode  up  on 
their  return  he  took  off  his  belt  and  gave  up  his  arms. 

Wm.  B.  Walston  lost  several  toes  by  frost,  John  W.  Cor- 
bin  had  hands  and  feet  frozen,  and  several  others  were  more 
or  less  frostbitten,  but  with  these  exceptions  none  of  our 
men  was  injured.3 

2  HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  PENNSYLVANIA  CAVALRY, 

January  7,  1864. 

WALSH  to  WRIGHT  :  "  I  have  just  received  a  report  from  Captain  Gillmore,1 
who  is  picketing  in  my  front,  that  the  rebels  charged  on  his  reserve,  coming 
from  the  Warrenton  side,  capturing  all  his  horses,  the  greater  portion  of  his 
men  and  wounding  a  great  many.  The  captain  reports  himself  wounded.  He 
wishes  two  ambulances  to  be  sent  out  to  bring  in  the  wounded.  I  will  have  the 


124 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


About  this  time  Captain  Stringfellow  suggested  to  Major 

Mosby  that  he  co-operate  with  him  in  the  capture  of  Cole's 

Camp  on  Loudoun  Heights. 

Stringfellow  entered  the  army  at  the  beginning  of  the  war 

and  had  so  distinguished  himself  by  his  skill  and  daring  as 

to  attract  the  attention  of  Gen 
eral  Stuart,  who  was  always 
quick  to  observe  and  as  ready 
to  reward  true  merit.  Having 
a  thorough  knowledge  of  all 
jfetm  the  stretch  of  country  from 

the  Blue  Ridge  to  Washing 
ton,  Stringfellow  was  selected 
as  a  scout  and  given  a  detail 
of  10  men  to  operate  with.  He 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  both 
Generals  Lee  and  Stuart,  and 
many  of  their  most  important 
movements  were  made  from 
information  acquired  by  him. 
The  incidents  in  his  dashing 
career — his  daring  exploits, 

REV.  FRANK  STRINGFELLOW,          his  perilous  journeys,  his  hair 
breadth  escapes  and  his  bril 
liant  forays,   would  of   them 
selves  fill  a  volume. 
As   Stringfellow  had  reconnoitred  the  camp    and    made 

himself  familiar  with  its  details,  Mosby  readily  agreed  with 

picket  lines   established  in  as  quick    time  as    possible.      He  reports    the  rebels 
having  left  in  quick  meter  after  collecting  up  the  horses  and  men." 


Formerly  "Capt.  Frank   Stringfellow,  th 

Scout." 
From  a  photograph  taken  after  the  war. 


CAMP  OF  THIRD  PENNSYLVANIA  CAVALRY, 
Major  J.  W.  WALSH  :  January  8,  1864. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  5th  day  of  January,  1864,  Cap 
tain  Gillmore  relieved  a  detachment  of  the  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Cavalry 
Corps,  on  the  Sulphur  Springs  road,  taking  up  the  line  as  established  under  the 
supervision  of  the  brigade  officer  of  the  day. 

Everything  remained  quiet  on  the  line  until  the  morning  of  the  yth,  when 
the  corporal  of  the  fifth  relief  started  from  camp  to  relieve  the  pickets.  On 
reaching  No.  3  post  he  discovered  10  or  12  men  drawn  up  in  line  at  the  post. 
He  immediately  reported  the  fact  to  Captain  Gillmore,  who  sent  me  with  TO 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  125 

him  that  the  place  could  be  surprised  and  captured  with  no 
great  effort.  Accordingly  on  the  afternoon  of  Saturday, 
January  Qth,  Mosby  started  from  Upperville  with  106  men. 
About  8  o'clock  we  halted  at  Woodgrove,  Loudoun  County, 
at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Heaton,  where  we  warmed  ourselves 
and  partook  of  refreshments,  which  were  supplied  without 
stint.  At  10  o'clock  we  resumed  our  march.  Within  two 

men  to  his  support.  In  the  meantime  they  had  made  good  their  retreat  with 
out  firing  a  shot.  I  scouted  around  the  whole  line,  finding  No.  3  post  vacant, 
but  no  other  indications  of  the  presence  of  an  enemy.  The  pickets  received 
additional  instructions  as  to  vigilance,  and  nothing  further  occurred  until  be 
tween  the  hours  of  4  and  5,  when  the  second  relief  started  from  camp.  They 
had  been  gone  but  a  short  time  when  a  party  of  35  or  40  men  charged  upon  the 
camp  from  our  rear,  taking  us  totally  by  surprise.  Their  movements  were 
hidden  by  a  ridge,  and  the  darkness  and  high  wind  which  prevailed  aided  their 
attack.  Captain  Gillmore  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  in  attempting  to  rally  his 
men,  many  of  whom  were  asleep,  was  shot  down  and  surrounded  by  a  dozen 
mounted  men.  At  the  same  time  6  men  were  wounded  and  18  captured.  As 
we  were  weakened  by  the  absence  of  two  reliefs,  the  command  was  totally 
overpowered  and  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy.  It  is  my  opinion  that  they  entered 
the  line  between  Captain  Gillmore's  extreme  left  post  and  the  right  of  the  First 
Pennsylvania  pickets,  considerable  distance  intervening.  This  opinion  is 
strengthened  from  the  fact  that  there  was  not  a  shot  fired  on  the  line,  and  in 
the  morning  I  examined  the  ground,  finding  a  trail  through  the  snow  at  the 
point  designated. 

They  retreated  out  the  Sulphur  Springs  road,  carrying  with  them  18  prison 
ers  and  43  horses  with  their  equipments,  leaving  8  wounded,  including  Captain 
Gillmore,  which  comprised  the  whole  command,  with  the  exception  of  3  or  4 
who  escaped. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  S.   LUTTRELL  WARD, 
Second  Lieutenant   Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalrv. 


TAYLOR  to  WEIR: 

CAPTAIN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  in  compliance  with  orders  from 
Second  Division  headquarters,  100  men  from  First  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  under 
command  of  Lieut.  J.  Hobensack,  of  same  regiment,  were  ordered  out  to  pur 
sue  the  enemy,  who  had  attacked  the  reserve  of  the  Third  Pennsylvania. 
Lieutenant  Hobensack  reports  that  he  took  the  Warrenton  and  Waterloo  pike  ; 
found  the  track  of  the  enemy;  thence  to  the  Salem  and  Waterloo  road  ;  followed 
its  course  to  within  3  miles  of  Salem,  where  it  changed  its  course,  taking  the 
Orleans  road.  The  lieutenant  reports  the  enemy  at  this  point  three  hours  in 
advance  of  him  ;  his  horses  much  fatigued  and  gave  up  pursuit,  returning  by 
the  Salem  and  Waterloo  road.  He  captured  2  of  Mosby's  men,  who  he  delivered 
to  the  division  provost-marshal. 


126  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

miles  of  the  camp  we  were  joined  by  String-fellow  with  his 
10  men.  They  reported  favorably,  and  the  command  pushed 
on.  The  night  was  clear,  the  stars  shone  brightly  ;  and  the 
cold  was  sharp  and  biting.  Many  of  the  men  would  dis 
mount  at  times  and  run  or  walk  beside  their  horses  to  keep 
their  feet  from  freezing.  No  sound  broke  the  stillness  of  the 
night  except  the  dull,  heavy  tramp  of  the  horses  as  they  trod 
the  snowy  path.  Fields,  roads,  trees  and  shrubs  were  alike 
clothed  in  the  white  robes  of  winter,  and  it  seemed  almost  a 
sacrilege  against  the  beauty  and  holy  stillness  of  the  scene  to 
stain  those  pure  garments  with  the  life  blood  of  man,  be  he 
friend  or  foe. 

Marching  on,  we  soon  came  in  sight  of  camp  fires  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river.  These  were  passed  and  many  of 
the  men  thought  the  post  had  been  found  too  strong  to  be 
attacked.  As  the  whistle  of  an  engine  fell  upon  their  ears 
at  this  time,  some  were  under  the  impression  that  an  attack 
would  be  made  on  the  train.  The  command  moved  up 
along  the  mountain  side  in  single  file,  strung  out  for  some 
distance  on  the  narrow  path.  Suddenly  "crack  !"  went  the  re 
port  of  a  pistol ;  then  "  bang-bang-bang,"  went  the  carbines 
from  the  camp  in  front,  accompanied  by  loud  shouts  from 
Cole's  camp.  Above  the  din  rang  out  the  clear  voices  of 
Smith  and  Turner — u  Charge  them,  boys!  Charge  them!" 
The  first  row  of  tents  was  captured  when  Stringfellow's  men, 
who  had  charged  into  the  rear  of  the  camp  contrary  to  or 
ders,  came  on  yelling  and  shooting.  Our  men,  supposing- 
them  to  be  Federals,  fired  upon  them,  killing  and  wounding 
several.  Taking  advantage  of  the  confusion  which  ensued, 
Captain  Vernon,  of  Cole's  Battalion,  rallied  his  men  and 
opened  on  us  a  withering  fire.  Some  sheltered  themselves 
in  an  old  log-  house,  firing  on  us  from  the  door,  windows 
and  through  the  chinks.  A  number  of  our  command 
were  crowded  together  close  up  to  the  enemy,  Lieutenant 
Turner  being  in  front,  when  a  ball  struck  him ;  he  fell 
over  on  Captain  Franklin,  exclaiming,  "I  am  shot,"  That 
was  all  he  said.  Captain  Franklin  took  him  a  short 
distance  to  the  rear,  and  gave  him  in  charge  of  two  men 
who  bore  him  from  the  field.  Paxson  fell  from  his 


MO8BY  S    RANGERS. 


127 


horse,  calling-  out  as  he  fell :  "  You  are  not  going  to  leave 
me  here  on  the  field  ?  "  Captain  Smith  was  advancing  to 
assist  him,  when  a  shot  from  one  of  the  tents  a  short  distance 
ahead  put  an  end  to  the  career  of  this  brave  soldier.  Cap. 
tain  Chapman  caught  him  and  disengaging  his  feet  from 
the  stirrups,  laid  him  on  the 
ground.  Robinson  fell  from 
his  horse,  dead.  Colston,  a 
brave  young  Baltimorean,  was 
shot  down  while  endeavoring 
to  encourage  and  rally  our 
men.  Owens  was  also  killed. 
Still  the  fight  went  on. 

Montjoy,  with  a  squad  of 
men,  was  sent  down  to  a 
bridge  to  take  a  picket  and 
guard  the  bridge.  When  he 
reached  the  bridge  the  picket 
had  fled  and  he  kept  it  undis 
turbed. 

Lieut.  F.  Beattie  had  his 
horse  shot  and  he  himself  re 
ceived  a  ball  in  his  thigh. 

The  dead  and  dying  lay 
around.  From  the  tents  came 
forth  moans  of  pain  and  shrieks 
of  agony.  Some  of  the  com 
batants  stood  almost  in  reach  of  one  another, 
each  other's  faces,  crying  out : 

"  Surrender !  " 

"  No,  I  won't !     You  surrender  !  " 

Many  of  the  Federals,  driven  from  their  tents,  sought 
refuge  among  the  thick  bushes  higher  up  the  mountain  side 
and  from  this  vantage  ground  poured  a  galling  fire  into  our 
ranks.  The  balls  striking  the  ground,  threw  up  the  frozen 
earth  in  our  faces. 

Hearing  the  signal  gun  at  Harper's  Ferry,  where  several 
thousand  troops  were  quartered,  in  readiness  to  march  upon 
us  at  a  moment's  notice,  and  seeing  that  nothing  could  be 


LIEUT. -COL.  GEO.  W.  F.  VERNON, 

First  Maryland  Potomac  Home  Brigade 

(Cole's  Battalion). 


firing  into. 


128  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

gained  by  prolonging  the  fight,  Mosby  gathered  up  his 
shattered  forces  and  retired  from  this  disastrous  attack  in 
the  direction  of  Hillsborough,  taking  7  prisoners  and  35 
horses.  The  Federals  did  not  attempt  to  follow,  though  they 
continued  firing  as  long  as  the  command  was  within  sight 
or  hearing. 

Five  of  our  men  were  left  dead  in  the  camp :  Captain 
William  R.  Smith,  of  Company  B ;  William  E.  Colston, 
Captain  Robinson,  Owens  and  Yates.  Lieut.  Thomas 
Turner,  of  Company  A ;  Charles  Paxson  and  William  H. 
Turner  of  Baltimore,  were  mortally  wounded  and  all  died 
shortly  after.  Lieut.  Fountain  Beattie,  Henry  Edmonds, 
Boyd  Smith  and  others  were  wounded.  One  man,  Leonard 
Brown,  was  taken  prisoner ;  he  had  gone  off  to  secure  some 
horses,  and  after  doing  so,  returned,  leading  two  horses. 
He  was  greatly  surprised  to  fine  his  comrades  gone,  and 
there  was  no  alternative  for  him  but  to  surrender. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Turner  was  taken  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Levi  Waters,  about  a  mile  distant  from  the  camp,  where  he 
died  the  following  Saturday.  [See  Mosby's  Report,  Ap 
pendix,  VIII.] 

There  were  from  175  to  200  men  at  the  camp  attacked. 
They  lost  4  killed  and  17  wounded,  some  mortally. 3 


3  Cumberland,  Md.,  Jan.  10,   1864. 
Brigadier-General  CULLUM,  Chief  of  Staff : 

SIR  :     The  following  dispatch  is  just  received  : 

I  cheerfully  comply  with  the  request  of  General  Sullivan  in  calling  the  atten 
tion  of  the  General-in-Chief  to  the  gallant  conduct  of  Major  Cole  and  his  brave 
comrades.  His  repulse  of  the  murderous  attack  made  by  an  overwhelming 
force  at  4  o'clock  on  a  dark,  cold  morning  evinced  a  discipline,  a  watchfulness 
and  a  bravery  most  commendable.  B.  F.  KELLY,  Brigadier-General. 


HDQRS.  BATT.  P.  H.  B.  CAVALRY,  MARYLAND  VOLS., 

Loudoun  Heights,    Va.,  January  10,   186 Jj- 
Capt.  WILLIAM  M.   BOONE,  Assistant  Adjutant-General: 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  of  addressing  you  for  the  purpose  of  reporting  the 
facts  of  an  attempt  by  Major  Mosby's  battalion  of  guerrila  cavalry  to  surprise 
and  capture  my  camp  between  the  hours  of  3  and  4  a.  m.  of  this  day. 

They  studiously  avoided  my  pickets  ;  divided  themselves  into  small  bodies, 
which  were  speedily  consolidated  in  sight  of  my  camp.  They  then  made  an 
impetuous  charge  with  a  yell  on  the  right  of  the  same.  In  consequence  of  the 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  129 

The  march  homeward  was  indeed  a  gloomy  one.  A  sad 
and  sullen  silence  pervaded  our  ranks  and  found  expression 
in  every  countenance.  All  that  we  could  have  gained 
would  not  compensate  for  the  loss  we  sustained  :  Captain 
Smith  dead  and  Lieutenant  Turner  mortally  wounded,  be 
sides  losing  many  other  brave  companions  in  arms.  Even 
the  Major,  though  he  usually  appeared  cold  and  unyielding, 
could  not  conceal  his  disappointment  and  keen  regret  at  the 
result  of  this  enterprise.  He  knew  and  felt  that  he  had  suf 
fered  a  loss  which  could  not  well  be  repaired. 

Capt.  William  R.  Smith,  of  Company  B  and  Lieutenant 
Turner,  of  Company  A,  were  without  doubt  at  the  time  of 
their  deaths  the  two  most  efficient  officers  in  the  Battalion. 
The  first  to  go  into  a  fight,  they  were  always  the  last  to 
leave.  They  always  led  the  charges  in  their  respective 
companies.  Not  only  for  their  bravery  and  soldierly  traits 
were  they  admired  and  beloved,  but  also  on  account  of  the 
many  noble  qualities  of  head  and  heart  with  which  they 
were  endowed.  Both  men  were  universal  favorities,  not 
only  in  their  own  companies  but  also  with  the  whole  Battal 
ion,  and  their  loss  was  regretted  by  all. 

suddenness  of  the  same  this  company  could  offer  but  feeble  resistance.  In  the 
meantime  Company  A,  the  second  in  the  line,  was  speedily  rallied  by  its  com 
manding  officer,  Captain  Vernon,  who  contested  their  further  advance  in  such  a 
sanguinary  manner  that  [they]  formed  a  rallying  point  for  the  balance  of  the 
command,  who  were  now  thoroughly  aroused  of  the  danger  that  threatened 
them,  and  one  and  all,  from  the  officer  to  the  private,  entered  into  the  contest 
with  such  a  determined  zest  as  led  to  the  utter  rout  and  discomfiture  of  the 
enemy  and  the  signal  failure  of  their  base  attempt. 

They  experienced  a  loss  of  I  captain,  2  lieutenants  and  2  privates  killed,  and 
2  privates  mortally  wounded,  and  I  prisoner.  It  was  also  very  evident  that 
thf  y  removed  a  large  portion  of  their  wounded  with  them  in  their  precipitate 
flight,  as  a  detachment  of  the  command,  subsequently  sent  in  pursuit,  found 
evidence  of  blood  all  along  the  line  of  retreat.  I  experienced  a  loss  of  4  enlisted 
men  killed  and  16  wounded.  Captain  Vernon  experienced  a  serious  wound 
in  the  head,  but  it  is  the  opinion  of  Batt.  Surg.  W.  R.  Way  that  it  will  not  prove 
fatal.  I  am  deeply  indebted  to  the  officers  and  men  of  my  command  for  the 
daring  displayed  by  them  on  this  occasion,  and  earnestly  commend  them  to 
the  division  commander  for  his  favorable  consideration. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  A.  COLE, 

Maior  Commanding. 


130 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


The  "  Souvenir  of  the  Maryland  Line  "  has  the  following 
sketch  of  Colston : 

William  E.  Colston  was  born  in  Washington,  March  24th, 
1839,  but  his  early  years  were  spent  in  Virginia,  the  home 
of  his  ancestors.  He  came  to  Baltimore  about  1857,  and 
was  among  the  first  to  go  to  Virginia  when  the  war  broke 
out. 

On  June  ist,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
B,  Maryland  Guard,  attached  to  the  2ist  Virginia  Infantry, 

but  when  the  First 
Maryland  Regiment 
was  formed  was  trans 
ferred  to  Company  H, 
Capt.  Wm.  H.  Murray, 
June  i8th,  1861.  In  this 
company  he  served  in 
all  the  campaigns  and 
battles  of  the  year,  and 
at  the  battle  of  Cross 
Keys,  June  8th,  1862, 
in  Jackson's  Valley 
Campaign  he  was  des 
perately  wounded,  be 
ing  shot  through  the 
body.  He  was  perma 
nently  injured  by  this 
wound  and  disabled 
for  a  long  time,  but  as 
soon  as  able  to  ride  he 
was  appointed  Volun 
teer  Aid  to  Major-Gen- 
eral  Trimble.  General 
Trimble  being  wound 
ed  and  left  at  Gettys 
burg,  Colston  then 
volunteered  into  Mos- 
by's  command,  and  was 
killed  in  the  night  at 
tack  on  Harper's  Ferry,  January  loth,  1864.  He  is  buried 
in  the  Confederate  lot  at  Loudoun  Park  with  his  old  com 
rades  of  Company  H,  First  Maryland  Infantry. 

A  Memorial  Room  to  him  has  been  furnished  in  the  Con 
federate  Home  at  Pikesville,  Md.,  by  his  brother,  Capt. 
Frederick  M.  Colston. 

I  met  Major  Mosby  on  the  road  a  few  days  after  the  fight, 


WILLIAM  E.  COLSTON,  CO.  A. 

Killed  in  the  attack  on  Cole's  Camp,  Loudoun 
Heights,  January  10,  1864. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


and  in  course  of  conversation  he  remarked  that  he  was  sorry 
he  had  made  the  attack  on  Cole's  camp,  "  although,"  said 
he,  "  if  my  plans  had  been  carried  out,  the  expedition  would 
have  been  a  success."  He  said  Stringfellow  was  to  have 
gone  on  ahead  with  his  men  to  the  house  occupied  by  Major 
Cole  as  headquarters.  This  they  were  quietly  to  surround, 
and  after  securing  the  Major  and  whoever  else  might  be 
with  him,  proceed  on  to  the  camp  and  unite  with  him  in  the 
attack.  Instead  of  doing  this,  they  dashed  on  and  into  the 
camp.  Mosby  rode  down  the  line  in  search  of  Captain 
Smith  to  order  him  to  dismount  his  company  and  charge 
with  them  on  foot  into  the  camp  to  prevent  the  enemy  firing 
from  their  tents  and  to  secure  the  horses.  Company  A, 
under  Lieutenant  Turner,  were  to  remain  mounted  and 
attack  the  camp.  The  men  were  straggling  along  the  road, 
totally  unprepared  for  a  charge.  Before  he  could  find  Cap 
tain  Smith  or  issue  any  orders 
whatever,  he  heard  Stringfellow's 
men  yelling  and  shooting  in  our 
front.  The  camp  being  aroused, 
there  was  no  alternative  but  to 
charge  and  hazard  the  chance  of 
an  engagement,  as  he  was  disap 
pointed  in  making  it  a  surprise. 

In  the  u  Life  of  Sheridan,"  al 
ready  alluded  to,  is  a  very  inter 
esting  sketch  of  this  affair,  entitled 
"A  Battle  in  the  Snow,"  which 
concludes  with  the  following 
neatly  written  little  episode : 

There  were  a  thousand  thrilling 
incidents  connected  with  this  bare 
footed  fight  on  the  mountains,  in 
the  snow,  worth  relating,  and  the 
conspicuous  instances  of  almost 
unexampled  bravery  would  in 
clude  almost  every  man  in  the 

command.     But  there  is  one  touching  incident  necessary  to 
join  the  woof  and  warp  of  this  narration. 

When  daylight  broke  upon  the  scene  there  was  a  young 


CHARLES  PAXSON,  CO.  A. 

Killed  at  Loudoun  Heights  in  attack 

on  Cole's  Camp. 


J32  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

Confederate  soldier  lying-  upon  the  field  with  a  fatal  wound 
in  the  neck,  near  the  jugular  vein.  He  was  not  more  than 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  a  boy  in  appearance  as  well  as  in 
years.  The  officer  who  appears  at  the  cross-roads  in  the 
beginning  of  this  story  found  him.  He  raised  up  the  dying 
lad  and  asked  him  his  name. 

"  My  name  is  Paxson,"  replied  the  boy  in  broken  tones. 

"  My  God  !  are  you  Mr.  Paxson's  son  who  lives  at  the 
cross-roads  towards  Waterford?"  eagerly  inquired  the 
officer. 

"  I  am,"  was  the  simple  response. 

The  humane  act  of  his  father  in  1862  was  recalled,  and, 
full  of  emotion,  the  officer  picked  the  lad  up,  carried  him  to 
the  hospital,  laid  him  upon  an  easy  couch  and  summoned  the 
doctor,  who  replied  petulantly  : 

"  We  can't  care  for  those  men  until  we  look  after  our  own 
wounded." 

"  But  this  boy  must  be  cared  for,"  said  the  officer,  and  in 
as  few  words  as  possible  he  told  the  story  of  1862,  when  five 
of  their  men  belonging  to  Cole's  Cavalry  lay  wounded  upon 
Paxson's  farm  at  the  cross-roads. 

There  was  no  more  parleying,  and  the  boy  was  at  once 
carefully  attended  to,  but  he  was  beyond  human  aid.  All 
that  could  be  done  for  him  to  ease  his  last  moments  was 
done.  All  the  command  felt,  terribly  as  they  themselves 
had  suffered  and  were  suffering,  that  this  boy  was  entitled 
to  every  attention  that  could  be  shown  him. 

"  I  do  this,"  said  Mr.  Paxson  in  1862,  when  he  assisted  in 
taking  the  wounded  men  (Federals)  toward  the  river,  "be 
cause  I  would  want  others  to  do  the  same  by  my  boy,  who 
is  in  the  Confederate  Army,  if  he  should  be  wounded." 

The  same  officer  and  the  same  men  who  heard  these  words 
and  received  that  favor,  dealt  the  death-blow  to  that  son. 
Yet  his  dying  moments  were  made  easier  by  them  for  the 
favor  his  father  had  done. 


CHAPTER  Vlll. 

February,  1864. —  Chapman  in  the  Valley — Picketing  the  Roads  to  Guard  Against  Raiding 
Parties— Raid  of  Gregg's  Cavalry  from  Warrenton,  Piloted  by  John  Cornwell— Mosby  now 
a  Lieutenant  Colonel — Raid  of  Cole's  Battalion— Fight  near  Upperville— Raid  of  the 
Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry  and  Fight  near  Dranesville — Death  of  Capt.  Read,  Com 
manding  the.  Expedition. 

On  the  5th  of  February,  Capt.  William  H.  Chapman, 
while  on  a  scout  in  the  Valley  with  14  men,  came  upon  a 
party  of  15  Federal  cavalry  between  Millwood  and  Berry- 
ville.  He  attacked  them  on  sight,  killed  3,  captured  3 
prisoners  and  4  horses  ;  the  balance  made  their  escape. 

In  order  to  guard  against  raiding  parties  of  Federal 
cavalry  which  were  continually  scouring  the  country,  often 
capturing  some  of  our  men,  pickets  were  detailed  from  the 
different  companies  for  duty  each  night  on  the  main  roads 
leading  to  our  section.  To  Company  A  was  assigned  the 
turnpike  below  Middleburg ;  to  Company  B,  the  roads  be 
tween  Bloomfteld  and  Upperville ;  and  to  Company  C,  the 
road  from  Salem  to  the  Plains.1 


1  Lieut.  W.  Ben  Palmer,  of  Richmond,  furnished  me,  from  an  old  memo 
randum  book  in  his  possession,  the  following  list  of  details  from  Company  A 
for  picket  duty  on  the  turnpike  below  Middleburg  when  he  was  Sergeant  of 
Company  A  : 

Sergeant  Palmer— Mosby  (W.  H.),  Rudd,  Brawner,  Lake  (L.),  Lake(T.W.), 
Lake  (J.  R.),  Cocke,  Glasscock. 

Sergeant  Rowzee — Rutter,  Burke,  Barton,  Coiner  (J.  E.),  Coiner  (J.  W.), 
Ellis,  Smallwood.  Rowzee  (G.  A.) 

Sergeant  Thomas — Betts,  Bishop,  Bowie,  Castleman,  Walston,  Fletcher, 
Williamson,  Ayre. 

Sergeant  Rector — Hatcher  (W.),  Walls,  Wilson,  Symons,  Robey,  McDaniel, 
Wilson,  Simpson. 

Corporal  Davis— Underwood  (B.),  Underwood  (S.),  Richards  (D.),  Tram- 
mell,  Smallwood,  Rogers,  Minor,  Shaw. 

Corporal  Skinner — Dulaney,  De  Butts,  Darden,  Donahue,  Reed,  Crosen, 
Adrian,  Beavers. 

Corporal  Wh.iley — Crowley,  Berryman,  Hammond,  Heflein  (J.  W.),  Heflein 
(W.  A.),  Oden,  Robinson,  Williams,  Wagtjaman,  Mohler. 

Corporal  Gulick — Cromwell,  Woolf,  Gulick  (G.  M.),  Knapp,  Hibbs,  Hutch- 
inson,  Flannery,  Fox  (C.  A.) 

133 


134  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

On  the  night  of  February  i;th  I  slept  at  the  house  of  my 
old  friend  Redmond  F.  Brawner,  in  the  upper  edge  of  Fau- 
quier.  Mr.  Brawner  and  his  family  were  refugees  from 
Prince  William  County,  being  driven  from  their  farm, 
which  was  located  on  the  battle  ground  of  Manassas.  My 
companions  in  the  room  were  Charles  Tyler,  John  Kirwin, 
William  A.  and  Henry  N.  Brawner. 

I  was  awakened  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th  by  a  noise  in 
the  room  and,  looking  up,  saw  the  boys  hastily  putting  on 
their  clothes.  First  one  and  then  another  would  go  to  the 
window,  where  a  large  gray  blanket  had  been  nailed  up  to 
keep  out  the  cold,  and  cautiously  peeping  out,  would  say  in 

suppressed  tones :  "  They  are  Yan 
kees."  "  They  are  going  along  the 
road,  past  the  house."  "  Oh,  gee ! 
what  a  crowd  of  them."  "  They  are 
looking  up  this  way." 

Charley  Tyler,  who  had  not  left 
his  bed,  would  send  out  from  be 
neath  the  blankets  a  sepulchral 
voice  in  reply  to  these  exclamations  : 
"  Come  away  from  the  window." 
"  Well,  if  they  are  Yankees,  can't 
you  let  'em  go  by  ?  "  "  D—  -  you, 
come  away  from  that  window."  It 
WILUAMco  ARAWNER'  was  alternately  an  entreaty  and  a 

curse. 

I  sprang  out  of  bed  and  putting  my  eye  to  the  peephole 
in  the  blanket,  saw  a  body  of  Federal  cavalry  passing  along 
the  road  towards  Paris.  They  were  sitting  bolt  upright  on 
their  horses,  like  so  many  statues,  muffled  up  in  their  over 
coats  and  seemed  to  look  neither  to  right  nor  left. 

As  soon  as  I  slipped  on  my  clothes  I  went  downstairs  and 
out  the  back  door,  picked  up  my  saddle  and  bridle,  and 
keeping  the  house  between  myself  and  the  cavalry  in  the 
road,  ran  as  fast  as  I  could  through  the  orchard  to  where  I 
expected  to  find  my  horse.  The  horses,  to  protect  them 
selves  from  the  biting  wind,  had  sought  the  shelter  of  a  little 
knoll  which  completely  hid  them  from  the  view  of  those 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  135 

passing  on  the  road.  Seeing  no  horses,  and  the  house  being 
a  small  one,  with  no  barn  or  stable  in  sight,  the  Federal  cav 
alry  were  not  attracted  to  it,  and  the  morning  being  intensely 
cold,  they  appeared  anxious  to  push  on  and  not  loiter  on 
the  way.  Calling  my  horse,  I  was  soon  in  the  saddle  and  dash 
ing  over  the  mountain  in  hopes  to  come  on  the  road  ahead 
of  the  raiders  and  give  warning  of  their  approach. 

I  came  out  on  the  road  in  front  of  Ben.  Triplett's  house. 
The  old  man  was  sitting  at  the  stile  as  I  rode  up,  wildly 
clapping  his  hands.  "  The  Yankees  have  been  here  and 
ransacked  the  house,"  said  he,  "  and  have  taken  all  the 
horses." 

"  Did  they  get  any  of  the  boys?"  I  asked. 

"  No,"  said  he  ;  "  the  boys  ran  out  with  what  clothes  they 
could  pick  up  and  are  now  hiding  somewhere  about  the  moun- 
;ain.  Jim  Wrenn  jumped  out  of  the  window  with  only  what 
he  had  on  in  bed,  and  I  think  he  and  Ab.  Wrenn  are  up  on 
Mount  Ida.  The  Yankees  have  been  to  Gibson's  and  there 
they  captured  Sergeant  Corbin,  Walston  and  some  more  of 
the  boys." 

"  Which  way  did  they  go  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  There  they  are  now  ! "  said  Triplett,  pointing  over 
towards  Simper's.  As  I  looked  in  that  direction  1  saw  the 
road  filled  with  blue-coats,  and  a  warning  shot  and  the 
sound  of  a  bullet  whizzing  by  my  ear  told  its  own  story. 

While  sitting  on  my  horse  looking  towards  them,  I  ob 
served  a  commotion  in  their  ranks,  while  the  sharp  cracking 
of  pistols,  and  the  wild  yell  which  sounded  so  familiar  to 
my  ear  told  me  that  u  Mosby's  Men  "  were  hanging  on  their 
trail  and  had  made  a  dash  at  them.  I  then  put  spurs  to  my 
horse  and  crossed  the  fields  to  join  my  comrades. 

Captain  William  Chapman  and  Montjoy  had  collected 
about  25  men.  Seeing  the  two  parties  of  Federal  Cavalry 
unite  and  gallop  into  Paris,  leaving  pickets  outside,  we 
moved  on  towards  town,  while  Chapman  and  Montjoy  went 
forward  to  reconnoitre.  We  saw  the  enemy's  sharpshooters 
creeping  along  to  cut  them  off  and  called  to  them  to  come 
back.  This  they  started  to  do,  but  not  until  Montjoy 's  horse 
was  wounded.  The  Federals  now  dismounted  sharpshooters 


136  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

who,  sheltered  behind  stone  fences,  opened  fire  on  us  with 
their  carbines. 

Charles  Tyler  was  sent  off  to  hunt  up  more  men,  but  ran 
into  another  body  of  Federals  coming  along-  the  mountain 
road  from  Markham  to  Paris.  He  quickly  wheeled  his  horse 
and  made -his  escape.  We  saw  them  winding  along  a  nar 
row  lane  and  charged  in  their  rear,  but  they  were  too  strong 
for  us,  and  soon  the  three  parties  were  united  at  Paris.  Cap 
tain  Chapman  said  our  force  was  too  small  to  accomplish 
anything,  and  dismissed  us  with  orders  to  gather  up  what 
men  we  could  and  meet  at  Piedmont  about  two  or  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  endeavor  to  cut  off  and  recapture 
prisoners.  The  Federals  stopped  a  short  time  at  Paris  and 
then  started  down  the  pike,  closely  followed  by  Lieutenant 
Hunter  with  about  30  men,  who  harassed  them  as  they 
moved  along.  We  had  one  man  wounded,  Aquilla  Glass- 
cock. 

The  raiding  party  consisted  of  detachments  of  the  First 
New  Jersey,  First  Pennsylvania,  Third  Pennsylvania  and 
First  Massachusetts  Cavalry — about  400  in  all — and  were 
guided  by  a  man  named  John  Cornwell.  Cornwell  had 
been  sent  by  Capt.  Walter  E.  Frankland,  then  our  Quarter 
master,  to  Charlottesville  with  a  wagon  to  bring  us  some 
ammunition,  and  on  his  return  presented  a  bill  of  expenses 
which  Frankland  would  not  allow.  He  then  appealed  to 
Mosby,  who  sustained  Frankland.  Cornwell  then  went  to 
Warrenton,  where  Gregg's  Cavalry  Division  was  in  camp, 
and  volunteered  to  pilot  the  Federals  through  "  Mosby 's 
Confederacy  "  and  capture  the  whole  command, 

They  started  from  Warrenton  about  half-past  ten  o'clock 
on  the  night  of  Wednesday,  February  i/th,  reached  Salem 
about  midnight,  and  from  this  place  they  commenced  search 
ing  houses  for  "  Mosby's  Men."  At  Rectortown  they  di 
vided,  one  party  going  to  Middleburg  and  thence  to  Upper- 
ville,  while  others  marched  by  way  of  Piedmont,  Oak  Hill, 
Markham  and  Paris.  Some  even  scouted  along  the  little 
mountain  road  from  Markham  to  Paris.  At  the  house  of 
Mr.  Jamieson  Ashby,  where  Captain  Frankland  lodged,  the 
Federals  surrounded  and  searched  the  house,  threatening 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  137 

the  servants  to  compel  them  to  tell  where  they  would  find 
Captain  Frankland,  Hamner  and  Henry  Ashby  ;  but  the 
faithful  negroes  would  not  disclose  their  hiding-  places,  and 
they  remained  concealed  until  the  enemy  had  left. 

In  the  afternoon  we  met  at  Piedmont  and  were  joined  by 
Mosby,  who  had  just  returned  to  the  command,  being  pro 
moted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  With  60  men  we 
followed  the  trail  of  the  raiders  to  within  six  miles  of  War- 
renton,  where  we  gave  up  the  pursuit. 

In  the  Federal  reports  the  officers  claimed  to  have  cap 
tured  28  of  our  men,  but  in  this  they  included  a  number  of 
citizens  who  were  not  members  of  our  command. 

Saturday,  February  2otJi — Cole's  Second  Battalion  Mary 
land  Cavalry,  about  250  men,  made  a  raid  through  Loudoun 
and  Fauquier  Counties,  capturing  several  of  our  men.  Mc- 
Cobb,  of  Baltimore,  was  surprised  at  Bartenstein's,  near 
Upperville,  and  was  killed  in  attempting  to  escape.  John 
and  Bartlett  Boiling  were  captured  at  their  father's  resi- 


HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS,  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

February  17,  1864. 
Brig.-Gen.  GREGG,  Commanding  Second  Cavalry  Division: 

GENERAL  :  The  Commanding  General  directs  that  you  send  a  sufficient  force 
of  your  command  at  once  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  Mosby  and  his  .party, 
who  are  to  be  at  Markham  to-night. 

The  prisoner,  Cornwell,  will  give  you  information  as  to  where  Mosby  will 
be  found.  The  officer  in  charge  of  the  party  will  take  with  him  the  prisoner, 
and  if  he  should  lead  your  party  into  a  trap  he  will  be  shot.  It  is  believed  that 
the  prisoner's  statement  is  reliable,  and  you  are  directed  to  question  him. 
After  the  party  returns  Cornwell  will  at  once  be  sent  to  these  headquarters. 

The  General  directs  that  you  will  send  the  party  as  soon  as  possible,  in 
order  that  they  may  arrive  at  Markham  during  the  night.  Please  report  by 
telegraph  as  soon  as  the  party  returns. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.   B.   PARSONS, 
Captain  and  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

February  IS,  1S64- 
Lieut.-Col.  J.  W.  KESTER,  Commanding  First  New  Jersey  : 

COLONEL  :  The  General  commanding  directs  that  with  300  men  placed  under 
your  command,  you  will  proceed  to-night  at  10  o'clock  to  Markham  and  Paris 


138  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

dence,  and  William  A.  Brawner  and  J.  W.  Coiner  rode  into 
a  party  of  Cole's  men,  near  Upperville,  mistaking  them  for 
our  own  men,  and  were  taken  prisoners. 

After  going  as  far  as  Piedmont,  on  the  Virginia  Midland 
Road,  Cole  started  to  return.  Mosby,  with  John  Edmonds, 
John  Munson  and  J.  Lavender,  got  on  their  track.  He 
gathered  up  others  as  he  went  along,  at  the  same  time 
annoying  the  raiders  as  they  marched.  When  near  Upper- 

and  vicinity,  where  it  is  reported  bands  of  guerrillas  have  their  headquarters. 
Every  effort  will  be  made  to  capture  or  destroy  the  leaders  and  men  composing 
these  bands.  The  guide  who  will  accompany  you  is  familiar  with  the  country 
and  reported  to  be  worthy  of  confidence.  In  searching  houses  supposed  to  con 
tain  guerrillas,  all  injury  to  property  will  be  avoided.  In  making  your  dis 
positions  suggestions  of  the  guide  will  be  valuable.  It  is  expected  that  your 
command  will  return  to  camp  to-morrow  evening. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  .  D.   McM.   GREGG, 

Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers^  Commanding  Second  Division. 


HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  NEW  JERSEY  CAVALRY, 

February  19,  1864. 
Capt.  HENRY  C.  WEIR, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Second  Cavalry  Division  : 

CAPTAIN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  obedience  to  instructions  I 
started  from  Warren  ton  with  350  men  comprising  the  following  commands:  150 
First  New  Jersey,  100  First  Pennsylvania,  50  Third  Pennsylvania  and  50  First 
Massachusetts.  It  being  very  cold  I  marched  rapidly,  and  at  Salem  I  sent 
Lieutenant  Bradbury,  Third  Pennsylvania,  with  50  men  of  the  First  Massa' 
chusetts,  to  pass  through  Upperville  and  meet  the  rest  of  the  command  at 
Paris,  in  Ashby's  Gap.  I  took  the  main  column  on  to  Piedmont ;  at  that  point 
I  sent  Captain  Hart  with  150  men  of  the  First  New  Jersey  Cavalry  to  pass 
through  Piedmont  Valley,  and  stop  at  Paris  until  I  arrived.  With  100  men  of 
the  First  Pennsylvania,  under  Captain  McGregor,  and  50  men  of  the  Third 
Pennsylvania,  under  Captain  Wetherill,  I  marched  to  Markham  Station  in 
Manassas  Gap.  From  that  point  I  crossed  the  mountains  by  a  by-path  and 
joined  the  other  parties  at  Paris  at  12  o'clock  on  the  day  of  the  i8th.  The 
column  under  Lieutenant  Bradbury  lost  their  way  and  came  into  Paris  without 
passing  through  Upperville,  and  captured  some  horses  and  arms  without  seeing 
any  of  the  enemy.  The  column  under  Captain  Hart  passed  through  Piedmont 
Valley,  and  surprised  and  captured  15  of  Mosby's  guerrillas  and  furloughed 
soldiers,  and  a  quantity  of  arms,  equipments  and  horses.  The  other  column 
with  myself  passed  into  Manassas  Gap  to  Markham,  and  from  there  to  Paris, 
capturing  13  of  Mosby's  guerrillas  and  furloughed  soldiers,  and  a  quantity  of 
arms,  equipments,  horses  and  some  medical  stores  ;  the  latter  we  destroyed. 
As  we  came  near  Paris  about  40  guerrillas  charged  on  my  rear  guard.  I  sent 
a  squadron  and  charged,  scattering  them.  No  casualties  on  our  side.  I  stopped 
one  hour  at  Paris,  and  started  to  return  at  one  o'clock.  By  this  time  the  guer- 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  J39 

ville,  where  Cole  halted  .to  feed  and  rest  his  horses,  Mosby 
had  collected  about  50  men,  and  with  these  he  charged  the 
rear  of  the  Federal  column  and  threw  them  into  some  con 
fusion.  Capt.  Wm.  L.  Morgan,  of  Cole's  Command,  was 
killed  by  Montjoy.  At  Blakeley's  Grove  School  House, 
Cole  made  a  stand,  arid  taking  a  position  behind  the  stone 
fence  at  the  Cross  Roads,  sought  to  give  us  check,  but 
Mosby,  throwing  his  men  on  their  flank,  drove  them  from 
their  shelter  and  forced  them  to  retreat.  We  followed  them 
as  far  as  Bloomfield,  and  there  gave  up  the  chase.3 

The  Federals  lost  7  killed,  including  Captain  Morgan,  and 
8  prisoners,  with  their  horses  and  equipments.  They  carried 
off  most  of  their  wounded  —  one,  shot  through  the  head, 
lingered  some  time  at  the  school  house  at  Blakeley's  Grove, 
but  died  and  was  buried  in  the  fence  corner.  We  found  2 

rillas  had  collected  together  in  a  body  numbering  nearly  100  men,  who  made 
repeated  attempts  to  capture  my  rear  guard,  which  they  paid  dearly  for.  At 
one  time  one  man  was  shot  from  his  horse  ;  at  another  two  were  knocked  over, 
and  another  an  officer  was  dismounted  and  wounded,  and  was  rescued  by  his 
comrades,  but  his  horse  and  trappings  fell  into  our  hands. 

The  casualties  on  our  side  were  :  Captain  Hart,  First  New  Jersey,  slightly 
wounded,  and  2  horses  killed.  The  guide  you  furnished  me  was  of  great 
assistance. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  W.  KESTER, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Commanding. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

February  18,  1864. 

Major-General  HALLECK  :  General  Pleasonton,  chief  of  cavalry,  reports  that 
a  scouting  party  sent  from  General  Gregg's  command  at  Warrenton,  cap 
tured  to-day  at  Piedmont  28  of  "  Mosby's  men." 

GEO.  G.   MEADE, 
Major- General  Commanding. 

3  Abstract  from  Record  of  Events  on  Return  of  Cavalry  Brigade,  Department  of 

West  Virginia,  for  February,  1864. 

February  20. — Three  parties  were  sent  out  of  200  men  by  way  of  Loudoun, 
under  command  of  Major  Cole,  who  met  Mosby's  troops  at  or  near  Upperville, 
and  after  a  severe  skirmish  lost  i  captain  and  I  private  killed  and  several 
missing  ;  captured  18  rebels.  Another  party  under  command  of  Colonel  Tay 
lor  went  to  Front  Royal  ;  drove  the  rebels  from  there,  who  took  to  the  moun 
tains.  We  captured  8  prisoners.  The  third  party  went  to  Strasburg  without 
meeting  the  enemy.  Captain  W.  L.  Morgan,  Co.  A.,  First  N.  Y.  Veteran 
Cavalry,  was  killed  in  action  near  Upperville. 


14°  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

of  their  dead  near  Bloomfield  a  week  after  the  fight,  half 
eaten  up  by  hogs. 

In  our  command  Lieutenant  Fox,  Starke  and  Spinkx  were 
wounded.  Montjoy  and  Geo.  H.  Ayre  had  their  horses 
shot.4 

4  Report  of  Lieut.-Col.  John  S.  Mosby,  Forty-third  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry. 

February  21,  186 4. 
Major  H.  B.  McCLELLAN,  Asst.  Adjutant-General  Cavalry  Corps. 

MAJOR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  about  8  o'clock  yesterday  morn 
ing,  on  being  informed  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  in  Upper- 
ville,  I  took  immediate  steps  to  be  prepared  to  meet  them.  The  enemy  pro 
ceeded  some  distance  along  the  pike  toward  Piedmont,  when  they  started  back. 

1  did  all  in  my  power  to  retard  them  by  annoying  them  with  a  few  sharpshoot 
ers  in  order  to  give  my  men  time  to  collect.     After  getting  between  50  and  60 
together  I  attacked  them  about  2  miles  beyond  Upperville.     A  sharp  skirmish 
ensued,  in  which  we  repulsed  them   in  three  distinct  charges  and  drove  their 
sharpshooters  from  a  very  strong  position  behind  a  stone  wall.     They  fled  in 
the  direction  of  Harper's  Ferry.     We  pursued  them  about  2  miles.      They  were 
enabled  to  cover  their  retreat  by  means  of  their  numerous  carbineers  posted 
behind  stone  fences.     As  my  men  had  nothing  but  pistols,  with  only  a  few  ex 
ceptions,  I  was  compelled  to  make  flank  movements  in  order  to  dislodge  them, 
which,  of  course,  checked  a  vigorous  pursuit.     Citizens  who  counted  the  enemy 
inform  me  that  they  numbered  250  men,  under  command  of  Major  Cole.    They 
left  6  of  their  dead  on  the  field,  among  them  i  captain,  I  lieutenant,  and  7  men 
prisoners  ;    also,   horses,    army  equipments,  etc.      The  road  over  which   they 
retreated  was  strewn  with  abandoned  hats,  haversacks,  etc.     They  impressed 
wagons  to  carry  off  their  wounded. 

While  all  acted  well,  with  but  few  exceptions,  it  is  a  source  of  great  pride  to 
bring  to  your  notice  the  names  of  some  whose  conspicuous  gallantry  renders 
their  mention  both  a  duty  and  a  pleasure.  They  are  Captain  and  Lieutenant 
Chapman,  Lieutenants  Fox  and  Richards,  Sergeants  Palmer,  Lavender,  and 
Privates  Munson,  Edmonds,  Montjoy,  Starke  and  Cunningham.  My  loss  was 

2  wounded.     Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.   MOSBY, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Commanding. 

[First  Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS,      ) 
February  28,  1864.  f 
Respectfully  forwarded. 

Colonel  Mosby's  gallantry  and  skill  highly  commended,  and  attention  called 
to  the  officers  and  men  specially  mentioned. 

J.   E.   B.   STUART,  Major-General. 
[Second  Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS,  March  8,  1864. 

Respectfully  forwarded,  concurring  in  the  commendation  of  General  Stuart 
bestowed  upon  Colonel  Mosby,  the  officers  and  men  of  his* command. 

R.   E.   LEE,   General. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  14! 

Sunday,  February  2ist. — The  command  was  ordered  to 
meet  at  Piedmont  to  attend  the  funeral  of  McCobb,  who 
was  killed  by  Cole's  men.  While  assembling,  a  report  was 
brought  in  that  a  scouting  party  composed  of  150  of  the 
Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry  5  and  a  platoon  of  the  Six 
teenth  New  York  Cavalry,  under  command  of  Capt.  J.  Sewell 
Read,  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  a  major  by 
promotion,  were  at  Rector's  X  Roads.  We  moved  on  to 
that  place,  but  they  left  before  our  arrival,  going  in  the  di 
rection  of  Mountville.  Sam  Underwood  was  sent  with  one 
man  to  follow  their  trail  and  report  to  Mosby,  while  we 
marched  towards  Dranesville,  with  the 
intention  of  intercepting  them  on  their 
return  to  camp  at  Vienna.  They  camped 
at  night  at  the  farm  of  Mr.  Kephart,  on  the 
road  to  Dranesville,  where  they  were  joined 
by  a  body  of  cavalry  under  Major  Frazar. 
We  halted  near  Dranesville,  tied  our 
horses  in  the  thick  pines,  built  fires  and 
lay  down  to  rest. 

We  had  less  than  175  men.     Mosby  ap 
peared  in  excellent  humor ;    said    he   had 

GEO.  L.  REVERCOMB,     f  .  .   .  iilllJ  u     4-  U     J 

Corporal,  Co.  E.«  been  running  his  parallels  all  day,  but  had 
headed  them  ;  that  they  would  come  down 
the  Leesburg  pike  and  he  would  attack  them  in  the  morn 
ing. 

Monday,  February  22d. — Early  in  the  morning  the  com 
mand  was  moved  out  to  the  pike  and  halted  near  Anker's 
shop,  about  two  miles  below  Dranesville,  to  await  the  com 
ing  of  the  enemy.  A  short  distance  in  our  rear  the  road 

5  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry. — Companies  A,  E,  F,  L  and   M  of  this  regi 
ment   were  organized  at  San   Francisco,  Cal. ;  Company  H,  at  Boston;  Com 
panies  B,  C,  D  and  I,  at  Readville,  Mass.,  from  December  10,  1862,  to  June  20, 
1863,  to  serve  three  years.     It  was  mustered  out  of  service  July  20,  1865,  in 
accordance  with  orders  from  War  Department. — Official  Record. 

We   usually  spoke   of  this  command  as  the   "  California  Battalion." 

6  George  L.  Revercomb,  a  veteran  of  two  wars— the  Mexican  and  the  Civil 
War — enlisted  in  1861  in  Company  C.,  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry;  was  honorably 
discharged  on  account  of  wounds  received  in  battle,  and  afterwards  enlisted 
under  the  banner  of  Colonel  Mosby. 


142 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


forked,  and  as  it  was  uncertain  whether  the  Federals  would 
follow  the  pike  or  take  the  county  road,  Walter  Whaley 
was  sent  to  watch  their  movements.  He  soon  came  in  with 
the  intelligence  that  the  Second  Massachusetts  was  coming 
along  the  pike,  and  that  Major  Frazar's  party,  which  had 
camped  with  them  at  night,  had  left  them  and  gone  by  the 
other  road. 

Company  A,  with  part  of  Company  B,  under  Lieut. 
Frank  Williams,  were  now  placed  along  the  edge  of  a  thick 
pine  woods,  in  columns  of  fours, 
to  charge  in  their  front ;  Com 
pany  C,  with  balance  of  Com 
pany  B,  under  Capt.  William 
Chapman,  were  to  charge  in 
their  rear;  while  15  dismounted 
men  with  carbines,  under  Mont- 
joy,  were  posted  in  the  pines 
along  the  road  about  the  center 
of  the  position. 

After  all  arrangements  had 
been  made,  Mosbysaid:  "  Men, 
the  Yankees  are  coming  and  it 
is  very  likely  we  will  have  a 
hard  fight.  When  you  are  or 
dered  to  charge,  I  want  you  to 
go  right  through  them.  Re 
serve  your  fire  until  you  get 
close  enough  to  see  clearly  what 
you  are  shooting  at,  and  then 
let  every  shot  tell." 

Col.  Mosby  called  Lieut.  Rahm  to  him  and  said :  "Frank, 
the  Yankees  are  coming  down  the  pike  in  this  order: 
Three  vedettes7  in  the  advance ;  some  200  yards  in  their 

7  One  of  the  three  vedettes  was  the  notorious  Charlie  Binns,  a  deserter 
from  Mosby's  command. 

Frank  Rahm  has  often  said,  jokingly,  he  thought  the  Colonel  must  have 
had  a  grudge  against  him  to  put  him  and  two  others  where,  if  he  had  split  the 
Federal  force  in  two  in  the  charge,  and  one  half  had  come  his  way,  his  name 
would  have  been  "Dennis." 


J.  PENDLETON  CHAPPALEAR, 
Co.  B. 

Killed  in  fight  with  Second  Massa 
chusetts  Cavalry,  near  Dranesville, 
February,  1864. 


MOSBYS    RANGERS. 


rear  25  more,  and  about  200  yards  behind  them  is  the 
main  body.  I  want  you  to  take  two  men  and  get  up  as 
near  under  the  rise  of  the  hill  as  you  can ,  halt  them  as 
they  rise  the  hill,  but  don't  shoot ;  parley  with  them  to 
kill  all  the  time  you  can  ;  this  will  give  the  whole  command 
time  to  bunch  up  in  my  front,  when  I  will  charge  them." 
Lieut.  Rahm  took  his  station  as  directed  and  very  soon  the 
Federal  cavalry  appeared,  moving  slowly  down  the  pike. 
The  vedettes  passed  by 
without  noticing  us,  but 
when  they  came  in  sight 
of  our  pickets,  halted  and 
one  called  out : 

"Who  are  you?  What 
command  do  you  belong 
to?" 

Rahm  replied:  "Fifth 
New  York  Cavalry.  What 
command  do  you  belong 
to?" 

"We  are  the  California 
Battalion,  but  believe  you 
are  Mosby's  Men.  If  you 
are  not,  advance  and  make 
yourself  known." 

To  this  Rahm  answered: 
"If  you  are  the  California 
Battalion,  you  advance  and 
make  yourself  known,  but 
we  believe  you  are  Mosby's  Men." 

One    of    the    Federals    then    remarked : 
damned  quick  who  you  are." 

As  the  man  said  this  he  raised  his  carbine  to  fire, 
and  at  the  same  moment,  Col.  Mosby,  who  had  witnessed 
and  heard  the  whole  parley,  blew  his  whistle,  which  was 
the  signal  to  charge. 

That  shrill  whistle !  The  impression  fixed  on  my  mind 
at  that  time  is  just  as  strong  now  as  when  we  sat 
motionless  on  our  horses,  holding  our  breaths,  with 
heads  thrown  forward  and  ears  strained,  watching  and 


LIEUT.  FRANK  II   RAHM,  Artillery  Co. 

Mosby'-s  Command. 
From  a  war-time  picture. 


I'll    find    out 


.144  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

waiting  in  anxious  expectation  for  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  and  the  signal  for  the  attack.  There  was  an  un 
natural,  an  unearthly  stillness  around  us  at  that  moment — 
a  stillness  which  seemed  to  creep  over  our  flesh  like  a  chill, 
and  to  be  seen  and  felt ;  when  suddenly  out  of  this  ghostly 
silence  there  came  that  shrill,  warning  signal,  like  the  fierce, 
wild  shriek  of  the  wind  rushing  through  the  trees  of  the 
forest,  giving  warning  of  the  coming  storm.  Then  came 
the  rattling  fire  of  the  carbineers  as  they  poured  a  volley 
into  the  advancing  column,  which  immediately  halted  and 
hurriedly  formed  to  await  the  onset. 

With  Mosby  at  the  head,  Company  A  and  part  of 
Company  B  now  charged,  sweeping  down  the  pike, 
scattering  the  advance  and  coming  upon  the  main  body, 
who  stood  firm  until  we  were  in  their  midst.  Company 
C  and  the  other  portion  of  Company  B  now  came  out 
on  their  flank  and  rear.  At  first  the  Federals  made  a 
hot  fight,  but,  unable  to  withstand  the  impetuosity  of  our 
charge,  they  broke  and  fled  in  every  direction,  some  down 
the  pike,  others  over  the  fences  and  across  the  fields. 
Their  officers  were  unable  to  rally  them.  The  pike  and 
fields  around  were  strewn  with  dead  and  wounded  men  and 
horses;  arms,  clothing,  etc.,  were  scattered  around. 

The  Federals  lost  12  or  15  killed  and  about  25  wounded  , 
72  prisoners  and  90  horses  were  captured.  Captain  Read, 
who  was  in  command,  was  killed.8  Captain  Manning,  3 
lieutenants  and  several  non-commissioned  officers  were 
among  the  prisoners. 


Among  the  killed  belonging  to  the  Second  Mass.  Cavalry  were  Capt.  J. 
Sevvell  Read,  of  San  Francisco ;  Geo.  W.  Ferrier,  California  ;  Byron  H. 
Grover,  California  ;  Wm.  Downey,  Boston  ;  James  B.  Hayden,  Boston  ; 
James  Miles,  Brookline,  Mass  ;  Richard  Powers,  Roxbury  ;  Stephen  Spooner, 
Ashland  ;  Abraham  Waters,  Medford  ;  Henry  H.  Dexter,  Barton,  Vt.  ;  James 
McCammon,  Warren,  111. 

This  fight  took  place  about  two  miles  from  Dranesville  and  was  usually 
spoken  of  as  "The  Second  Dranesville  Fight,"  to  distinguish  it  from  "The 
Fight  at  Miskel's,"  which  also  occurred  near  Dranesville  and  was  known  by 
our  men  as  the  first  Dranesville  fight,  but  by  the  Federals  it  was  always  called 
the  "Fight  at  Broad  Run." 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


We  had  only  one  man  killed,  J.  Pendleton  Chappalear,  of 
Fauquier.  Among  our  wounded  was  Baron  Von  Massow,  a 
Prussian.  He  had  been  seven  years  in  the  Prussian  army 
without  seeing  any  active  service,  and  for  the  purpose  of 
gratifying  his  curiosity  in  this  respect  he  had  come  to  this 
country.  His  first  introduction  was  in  the  attack  on  the 
guards  of  a  wagon  train  at  Bealeton  station.  He  was  a 
brave  soldier.  He  received  a  painful  wound  from  a  pistol 

in  the  hands  of  Captain  Read, 
and  Captain  Chapman,  seeing 
the  Baron  fall,  killed  Read  by 
a  well-directed  shot. 

Harry  (B.  H.)  Sweeting, 
of  Baltimore,  John  Munson, 
Thos.  Burke  and  John  Ed 
monds  were  severely  wound 
ed,  and  several  others  slightly. 
We  procured  a  carriage  and 
brought  out  Edmonds  and 
Munson.  Young  Chappalear's 
body  was  also  brought  off.  In 
the  engagement  Mosby's  horse 
was  twice  shot. 

This  raiding  party  was  pi 
loted  through  our  territory  by 
Charles  Binns,  a  deserter  from 
command.     Every   effort 


« 
<•> 


s 


L 


B.  H.  SWEETING,  CO.  A. 
(Harry  Sweeting.)8 


our 


was  made  to  capture  him,  but 


8  B.  H.  Sweeting,  more  familiarly  known  in  the  command  as  "  Harry  " 
Sweeting.  I  received  his  picture  in  the  same  letter  which  informed  me  of  his 
death.  The  Baltimore  Sun  contained  the  following  notice  of  his  death  : 

AN  OLD  SOLDIER'S  DEATH. — Dr.  B.  H.  Sweeting  was  the  hero  of  a  thrilling 
war  incident. — Dr.  B.  H.  Sweeting,  an  inmate  of  the  Confederate  Home  at 
Pikesville,  died  yesterday  morning  (January  6,  1896,)  at  the  City  Hospital  from 
injuries  received  by  falling  through  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore 
Railroad  Bridge  at  Havre  de  Grace  on  Tuesday  of  last  week. 

He  had  been  visiting  friends  in  Hartford  County,  and  started  to  walk  across 
the  bridge.  After  he  had  gone  a  few  steps  he  slipped  and  fell  through,  injuring 
his  right  hip  and  receiving  internal  injuries.  His  fall  was  caused  by  his  defec 
tive  eyesight.  He  was  brought  to  Baltimore  and  sent  to  the  City  Hospital, 
where  it  was  at  first  thought  he  would  recover. 

Dr.  Sweeting  entered  the  service  of  the  Confederacy  in  the  First  Maryland 


146  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

mounted  on  a  fleet  horse  he  made  off  at  the  beginning  of  the 
fray  and  escaped.9 

Regiment,  but  afterward  joined  Mosby's  battalion.  At  Mountville,  Va.,  his 
horse  was  killed  under  him  and  he  fought  single  handed  a  scouting  party, 
killing  and  wounding  several  of  its  members.  His  eyesight  was  almost  de 
stroyed  in  that  fight  and  he  was  left  for  dead  on  the  field,  covered  with  sabre 
cuts  and  stab  wounds. 

9  Report  of  Lieut.  Col.  John  S.  Mosby,  Forty-third  Va.  Cavalry. 

February  23,  1864. 
Major  H.  B.  McCLELLAN,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Cavalry  Corps. 

MAJOR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  about  ir  o'clock  on  the  2ist  in 
stant,  having  learned  that  a  body  of  180  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  on  a  raid 
ing  expedition  in  the  vicinity  of  Middleburg,  I  started  in  pursuit  with  about 
160  men.  On  reaching  Middleburg  I  found  they  had  gone  toward  Leesburg  via 
Mountville,  and  that  they  had  come  from  Vienna,  in  Fairfax.  Directing  Cap 
tain  Chapman,  whom  I  left  in  command,  to  move  down  Goose  Creek  neur  to 
Ball's  Mill,  I  went  with  a  small  squad  to  reconnoitre  in  person.  On  reaching 
Leesburg  I  discovered  they  had  taken  the  Dranesville  pike.  After  going  about 
6  miles  in  this  direction  they  went  into  camp  about  2  o'clock  at  night. 

In  the  meantime  I  had  ordered  my  command  to  Guilford  Station,  in  order  to 
keep  pace  with  their  movements  and  to  be  in  a  position  to  intercept  them. 
After  having  ascertained  where  they  had  encamped,  I  moved  my  command  out 
to  the  pike  about  2  miles  from  Dranesville,  at  a  point  offering  fine  natural 
advantages  for  surprising  an  enemy.  Distributing  the  different  companies  in 
positions  where  I  could  attack  their  front,  flank  and  rear  simultaneously,  we 
awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Soon  the  concerted  signal — a  volley  from 
the  carbineers  under  Montjoy — announced  the  time  for  attack.  With  a  terrific 
yell,  Chapman,  Hunter  and  Williams,  with  their  brave  commands,  dashed  on 
the  unsuspecting  Yankees.  Surprised  and  confounded,  with  no  time  to  form, 
they  made  but  feeble  resistance,  and  were  perfectly  overwhelmed  by  the  shock 
of  the  charge.  They  fled  in  every  direction  in  the  wildest  confusion,  leaving  on 
the  field  at  least  15  killed  and  a  considerable  number  wounded,  besides  70 
prisoners  in  our  hands,  with  all  their  horses,  arms  and  equipments.  Among 
their  killed  was  the  captain  commanding.  A  captain  and  2  lieutenants  are 
among  the  prisoners  who  belong  to  the  California  Battalion.  Many  of  them 
were  also  driven  into  the  Potomac.  The  gallantry  of  both  my  officers  and  men 
was  unsurpassed. 

My  loss  was  i  man  killed  and  4  wounded  ;  none  dangerously. 

My  thanks  are  due  Captain  Chapman  and  Lieutenants  Williams  and  Hun 
ter  and  Adjutant  Chapman  for  their  fidelity  in  executing  every  order. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  JNO.  S.  MOSBY, 

Lieut.  Col.  Commanding. 
[First  Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS,          ) 
February  28,  1864.  \ 
Respectfully  forwarded. 

This  is  another  of  the  many  brilliant  exploits  of  this  gallant  leader.  His 
boldness  and  skill  are  highly  commended,  as  evidenced  by  the  complete  rout  of 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


147 


the  enemy  with  so  small  loss.     Attention  is  invited  to  the  special  mention  made 
of  certain  officers  and  men.  J.   E.   B.   STUART,  Major-Gen. 

[Second  Indorsement.] 

Respectfully  forwarded,  uniting  in  the  commendation  bestowed  by  General 
Stuart.  R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

Report  of  Brig.-Gen.  Robert  0.   Tyler,   U.  8.  Army. 

HEADQUARTERS  TYLER'S  DIVISION, 
Fairfax  Court  House,   Va.,  February  23,  1804. 

TYLER  to  TAYLOR  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  detachment  of  125 
men  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  and  25  men  of  the  Sixteenth  New 
York  Cavalry,  under  command  of  Capt.  J.  S.  Read,  Second  Massachusetts  Cav 
alry,  encountered,  on  the  2ist  inst.,  in  the  vicinity  of  Circleville  Post-office, 
70  of  Mosby's  men,  whom  they  defeated 
with  severe  loss  to  them.  On  their  return, 
within  2  miles  of  Dranesville,  on  the  Lees- 
burg  turnpike,  they  were  ambuscaded  by  a 
force  of  between  200  and  300  men,  under 
command  of  Mosby.  Captain  Read's  com 
mand  fought  well,  but  were  finally  driven 
toward  the  Potomac,  in  the  vicinity  of  Muddy 
Branch.  On  receipt  of  the  intelligence,  a 
large  force  went  immediately  in  pursuit,  with 
out,  however,  overtaking  the  enemy,  who 
had  ten  hours  the  start,  and  the  pursuit  be 
yond  Goose  Creek  was  abandoned.  Our  loss 
was  10  killed  and  7  wounded.  Among  the 
former,  I  regret  to  say,  was  Captain  Read,  a 
brave  and  noble  soldier.  About  60  of  the 

detachment  are  yet  unaccounted  for.     A  report  will  be  sent  by  mail   to-mor 
row." 

Fairfax  Court  House,  February  23,  1SG4. 

TYLER  to  TAYLOR  :  "  The  cavalry  sent  out  last  night  liave  returned.  They 
followed  the  route  of  the  rebel  cavalry  as  far  as  Goose  Creek.  Mosby  had 
about  15  hours'  start,  and  was  moving  rapidly  toward  Snicker's  Gap.  Seven 
wounded  men  and  the  bodies  of  8  killed  have  been  brought  in.  About  70  men 
are  still  unaccounted  for.  I  will  telegraph  more  fully  to-night," 


BARON  VON  MASSOW. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

February  to  May,  1864 — Opening  of  the  Campaign  of  1864— Mosby's  Operations — 375  Men  Sent 
Out  to  Capture  6  of  "  Mosby's  Men  " — Attack  Patrol  near  Greenwich  -Richards  Captures 
Picket  Post  near  Charlestown — Skirmish  at  Kabletown —  Breaking  Up  Distilleries — A 
Prisoner  Escapes  with  Mosby's  Favorite  Horse — Company  D  Organized  —  Death  of 
Lieutenant  Trunnell  —  Death  of  Flannfiry — Prepared  to  Receive  Raiders — Capture  of 
Picket  Post  near  Hunter's  Mill  —  Capture  of  Lieutenant  Hunter  and  Wounding  of 
Lieutenant  Nelson — Lieutenant  Richards  Appointed  to  Command  of  .Company  B— Raid 
of  Federals  from  Vienna  and  Fairfax  Court  House  —  Several  of  "Mosby's  Men1' 
Killed,  Wounded  and  Captured. 

The  Spring  Campaign  of  1864  opened  with  the  prospect 
of  being  a  very  eventful  one.  In  February,  President  Lin 
coln  issued  a  call  for  200,000  men  to  recruit  the  armies  in 
the  field,  in  March  for  200,000  more,  and  in  July  followed  a 
call  for  500,000.  In  March,  General  Grant  was  appointed 
Lieutenant  General  and  made  his  headquarters  with  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  General  Meade  was  its  immediate 
commander,  but  the  movements  were  directed  by  General 
Grant. 

As  soon  as  the  weather  and  the  condition  of  the  roads 
permitted,  the  armies  were  pushed  forward,  and  again  "  On 
to  Richmond  !  "  was  the  war  cry. 

The  vast  bodies  of  troops  moving  around  in  all  directions 
gave  us  plenty  of  work,  and  large  and  small  parties  of  our 
men,  either  with  Mosby  himself,  or  under  command  of  some 
of  our  officers  or  trusty  men,  were  constantly  engaged  in 
scouting  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  information  or  cutting 
off  communication  and  destroying  supplies  in  the  rear  of  the 
advancing  armies,  thus  annoying  and  crippling  them  in  their 
movements  and  compelling  them  to  send  back  men  from  the 
front  to  protect  their  rear.  As  soon  as  we  discovered  a  weak 
point,  advantage  was  taken  of  it,  and  as  a  consequence  the 
line  would  be  strengthened.  If  this  was  done  by  weakening 
another  place,  we  soon  ascertained  that  fact  and  would  swoop 
down  on  it  like  a  hawk  on  a  chicken  yard.  When  the  Fed 
eral  armies  were  pushing  on  to  Richmond,  as  their  lines 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  149 

became  more  extended,  greater  numbers  were  required  to 
guard  them  from  our  attacks,  and  in  this  way  Mosby  with 
his  few  men  kept  thousands  of  Federal  soldiers  from  active 
duty  in  the  front,  to  say  nothing  of  the  damage  inflicted  by 
these  constant  assaults.1 

While  the  enemy  were  compelled  to  guard  their  lines, 
Mosby  had  none.  When  a  body  of  troops  was  sent  in  search 
of  him  it  was  a  very  easy  matter  to  keep  out  of  their  way  if 
in  heavy  force,  or  cut  off  and  attack  any  detachments  from 
the  main  body  and  harass  them  on  their  march  ;  or,  by 
ignoring  their  presence  altogether,  compel  them  to  return  to 
protect  their  own  camps.  It  would  have  been  folly  for  our 
little  band  to  have  met  and  fought  every  force  sent  against 
us.  The  enemy's  resources  being  so  much  greater  than 
ours,  the  contest  would  have  been  too  unequal  and  it  would 
have  simply  been  a  question  of  time  as  to  when  we  would  be 
utterly  destroyed  or  driven  out  of  the  country. 

The  section  chosen  by  Mosby  as  his  base  was  well  adapted 
for  his  purpose,  having  the  Potomac  river  on  the  north,  the 

1  375  Men  Sent  Oiit  to  Capture  6. 

Alexandria,  February  29,  1864. 
Colonel  TAYLOR,  Chief  of  Staff. 

COLONEL  :  It  is  reported  that  Mosby  and  5  men  are  inside  the  lines  beyond 
Falls  Church.  Two  companies  of  cavalry  from  Vienna  are  in  pursuit,  and  all 
my  men  are  out  to  intercept  him  if  possible.  H.  H.  WELLS, 

Lieut. -Colonel  and  Provost- Marshal-General. 

HEADQUARTERS  DIVISION,      ) 
February  29,  1864.  \ 

Lieut. -Col.  J.  H.  TAYLOR, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Department  of  Washington. 
I  have  the  honor  to  report  all  quiet,  A  party  of  5  of  "  Mosby's  men  "  were 
seen  this  morning  ^near  Chichester  Mills.  A  scouting  party,  consisting  of  200 
men,  under  command  of  Major  Nicholson,  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  was 
sent  out  at  2  p.  m.  to-day  to  scour  the  country  from  Annandale  to  the  Occoquan, 
by  Wolf  Run  Shoals  ;  thence,  between  Bull  Run  battlefield  and  Centreville,  to 
Gum  Spring,  Frying  Pan,  and  around  Dranesville.  It  is  supposed  from  in 
formation  received  that  a  considerable  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  is  in  our 
vicinity.  Three  parties  of  dismounted  men,  two  of  50  and  one  of  75  men,  will 
go  out  to-night  to  operate  by  ambuscade  in  the  region  through  which  it  is  be 
lieved  the  enemy  will  be  compelled  to  pass. 

A.  H.  GRIMSHAW, 
Colonel,  Commanding  Division. 


150 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


line  of  railroad  from  Washington  to  Fredericksburg  and 
Richmond  on  the  east,  and  the  line  of  advance  from  Harp 
er's  Ferry  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley  on  the  west — all  within 
easy  striking  distance ;  and  having  once  occupied  this  terri 
tory  he  was  never  driven  out. 

Tuesday,  March  8. — The  heavy  rain  of  last  night  changed 
to  snow  this  morning,  and  then  again  to  rain,  but  towards 
noon  the  rain  ceased,  and  the  cheery  sunshine  peeping 

through  the  scattering  clouds 
made  it  pleasant  overhead, 
though  the  roads  were  in  bad 
condition  for  traveling.  Lieu 
tenant  Hunter  came  to  Upper- 
ville  and  said  to  those  of  our 
men  he  found  in  town : 

"  Colonel  Mosby  wants  40 
good  men  to  whip  60  Yankees, 
as  he  wants  a  few  extra  horses 
after  dividing  the  captures." 

Rectortown  was  designated 
as  the  rendezvous.  Mosby  ac 
cordingly  started  from  that 
place,  marching  to  a  point  on 
the  road  from  Bristoe  Station 
to  Greenwich,  where  we  kept 
close  in  the  pines,  awaiting  the 

approach  of  the  patrol  which  was  sent  daily  along  the  road 
for  the  protection  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  railroad. 
When  the  patrol  passed  by  we  charged  in  their  rear.  They 
did  not  tarry  to  receive  the  charge,  but  fled  at  the  first 
alarm,  scattering  through  the  woods.  We  captured  only  9 
men  and  10  horses.  None  of  our  party  was  injured,  though 
a  few  of  the  Federals  were  wounded.  [See  Mosby's  Report, 
Appendix,  IX,  p  412.] 

Wednesday,  March  9. — Company  C  met  to-day  at  Paris. 
Lieut.  A.  E.  Richards,  with  between  40  and  50  men,  crossed 
the  Shenandoah  river  in  the  evening,  and  halted  about  mid 
night  a  few  miles  beyond  Kabletown.  John  Chew  had  ad 
vised  Richards  of  the  situation  of  a  picket  post  near  his 


MAJOR  JERRY  A.  SULLIVAN, 

First  New  York  Veteran  Cavalry. 
Killed  in  a  skirmish  at  Kabletown,  March 

10,  1864. 
From  a  Photograph. 


father's  house,  on  the  road  to  Charlestown,  and  now  acted 
as  guide.  Lieutenant  Bryandt  of  the  First  New  York  Vet 
erans,  was  in  command  of  the  picket.  Just  as  day  was 
breaking,  Richards  entered  the  camp  from  the  direction  of 
Charlestown.  The  few  who  were  awake  were  under  the 
impression  that  our  men  were  the  relief  picket  and  no  re 
sistance  was  offered.  One  of  the  Federals  was  killed,  how 
ever,  by  a  shot  fired  by  one  of  our  men  as  we  rushed  into 
the  camp. 

As  soon  as  the  Federals  became  aware  of  the  capture  of 
the  picket,  a  party  of  25  cavalry  under  Major  Jerry  A.  Sulli 
van  was  sent  from  Charlestown  in  pursuit  of  Richards.  At 
Kabletown  they  overtook  6  of  our  men,  Robert  S.  Walker, 
Fountain  Beattie,  Dr.  J.  R.  Sowers,  B.  S.  Edmonds,  John 
Hearn  and  Rucker,  who  had  loitered  in  the  rear.  Although 
far  behind  their  comrades,  they  did  not  hesitate,  and  with 
out  waiting  for  their  pursuers  to  come  up,  charged  upon 
them,  killing  Major  Sullivan  and  two  or  three  others  and 
wounding  several.  The  Federals,  seeing  their  leader  fall  and 
so  many  with  him,  became  panic  stricken  and  fell  back  in 
confusion.  Our  men  then  pushed  forward  and  rejoined  the 
command.  William  Martin  had  been  captured  by  Major 
Sullivan  before  the  fight,  and  as  soon  as  our  men  charged  he 
disarmed  his  guard,  and  seizing  his  carbine,  took  part  in  the 
melee2. 

Altogether  20  prisoners,  including  Lieutenant  Bryandt, 
and  30  horses  with  arms  and  equipments,- were  brought  off 
by  Richards.  [See  Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  IX,  412.] 


2  Report  of  Col.  R.  F.   Taylor,  Commanding  Brigade. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,      } 
Halltown,   Va. ,  March  11,  1864.  f 

TAYLOR  to  BOONE  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  our  pickets  were 
attacked  between  Charlestown,  Va.,  and  the  river,  at  the  crossing  of  the  Keys' 
Ferry  and  Kabletown  roads,  yesterday  morning  at  6  o'clock  by  what  is  supposed 
to  be  a  portion  of  Mosby's  command,  numbering  from  40  to  80  men.  The  force 
passed  to  the  left  of  the  vedette  on  the  Kabletown  road,  seen  by  them,  but  sup. 
posed  to  be  a  reserve  from  Charlestown,  they  being  dressed  in  our  uniform. 
The  mistake  was  not  discovered  until  the  rebels  had  obtained  a  position  and 
fired  a  volley  into  the  reserve  at  less  than  lorods  distant,  completely  surprising 


152  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Mosby  was  very  active  in  searching  for  and  breaking  up 
distilleries.  He  would  send  details  of  men  to  destroy  the 
stills  and  empty  out  the  liquor.  They  were  also  sent  to 
places  where  liquor  was  kept  for  sale,  with  orders  to  pour 
out  all  liquor  found  on  the  prernises.  This  was  done  not 
only  on  account  of  the  demoralizing  influence  the  traffic 
would  have  upon  his  men,  but  also  on  account  of  the  scarcity 
of  grain,  all  of  which  was  needed  to  supply  food  for  man 
and  beast. 

Downey's  still-house  in  Loudoun,  near  the  Potomac  river, 
will  be  remembered  as  a  notorious  place,  being  quite 
a  resort  for  the  Federal  soldiers  stationed  along  the  river. 
A  party  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  sent  there  on  one  occasion  de 
stroyed  the  still  and  emptied  the  liquor  into  the  creek.  The 
Downeys,  in  revenge  for  this,  concealed  a  number  of  Federal 
soldiers  in  the  house,  and  shortly  afterwards,  when  our 
Quartermaster,  Captain  James,  John  Boiling  and  Major 
Hibbs,  who  were  pressing  corn  and  bacon  in  Loudoun,  went 
to  the  house  to  collect  their  quota,  they  were  seized  by 
the  enemy  and  carried  prisoners  across  the  Potomac  to 
Berlin.  [See  Chapter  XXVIL] 

them.  The  loss  at  the  reserve  post  is  I  killed  and  4  wounded,  and  2  lieutenants 
and  ii  privates  missing. 

"After  the  attack  they  retreated  with  great  rapidity  by  the  way  of  Kabletown, 
recrossing  at  Sampson's  Ford,  about  3  miles  this  side  of  Snicker's  Ferry,  except 
small  parties,  which  went  to  the  right  below  Kabletown,  crossing  near  and  at 
Snicker's  Ferry.  Major  Sullivan,  commanding  picket,  pursued  the  enemy  with 
9  men,  overtaking  them  at  Kabletown  ;  found  them  concealed  behind  an  old 
building,  from  which  they  fired  a  volley,  killing  Major  Sullivan  and  2  privates, 
and  severely  wounding  Lieutenant  Baker,  all  of  the  First  New  York  Veteran 
Cavalry.  The  balance  of  the  reserve,  under  Lieutenant  Conway,  numbering 
about  50  men,  came  up  a  few  moments  after,  but  failed  to  overtake  the  enemy. 
The  firing  was  distinctly  heard  at  this  place,  and  the  entire  force  ordered  out. 
Lieutenant  Wyckoff,  with  15  men,  got  to  the  ford  just  as  they  had  succeeded  in 
crossing.  Anticipating  an  attack,  I  sent  Lieutenant  Wyckoff  to  Charlestown  on 
the  evening  of  March  9,  informing  Major  Sullivan  of  the  probability  of  an 
attack,  ordering  him  to  strengthen  his  pickets  and  order  them  to  keep  on  the 
alert,  which  I  learn  he  did.  I  also  informed  him  that  I  had  150  men  in  readi 
ness  to  re-enforce  him  at  any  moment.  I  learn  that  there  were  a  number  of 
shots  fired  by  the  vedette  at  the  post  attacked  between  the  hour  of  3  and  the 
time  of  the  attack. 

"  I  forbear  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  where  the  blame  should  attach  until 
I  can  further  investigate  the  matter." 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


153 


One  day  a  detail  was  sent  to  a  certain  house  with  the  usual 
instructions  to  pour  out  all  liquor  found  on  the  premises. 
They  were  met  by  an  old  lady  who  told  them  she  was  very 
poor :  that  she  had  no  other  means  of  gaining  a  living,  and 
it  was  hard  to  lose  her  stock  in  trade.  The  boys  relented, 
but  the  Colonel's  orders  were  plain  and  imperative.  At 
last  one  said : 

"  Old  woman,  have  you  a  big  wash  tub  ?  " 

uYes,"  she  answered. 

"  Bring  it  here,  then." 

It  was  accordingly  brought  and  the  liquor  poured  into  it. 

"  The  Colonel  said  we  must  pour  out  the  liquor,  but  he 
didn't    say   where    we    should 
pour  it." 

Filling  a  canteen  for  them 
selves,  they  went  on  their  way, 
not  only  rejoicing  themselves, 
but  leaving  the  old  lady  to  re 
joice  also. 

Friday,  March  25  — As  Mosby , 
with  6  men,  was  returning  from 
a  scout  in  the  Valley,  with  4 
prisoners  and  horses,  he  stopped 
at  a  house  a  few  miles  below 
Paris,  leaving  Lieut.  Wrenn 
in  charge  of  the  prisoners  while 
he  went  into  the  house.  Among 
the  prisoners  were  Sergeant 
Weatherbee,  of  Company  B,  and 

Corporal  Simpson,  of  Company  H,  Griswold  Light  Cavalry, 
Twenty-first  New  York.  Corporal  Simpson,  who  had  been 
watching  his  opportunity,  pretended  to  fasten  his  horse  to 
the  stile,  but  really  put  his  foot  in  the  stirrup,  suddenly 
sprang  upon  the  horse  belonging  to  Mosby,  drew  a  pistol 
from  the  holster,  fired  at  Lieut.  Wrenn  and  galloped 
off.  Weatherbee  made  his  escape  at  the  same  time  on 
another  horse.  They  were  followed  to  Paris,-  but  it  was 
snowing  so  heavily  at  the  time  that  it  was  impossible  to  see 
fifty  yards  ahead,  and  once  fairly  started  the  prisoners  were 


DR.  J   R.  SOVv'ERS.  CO.  1). 


154 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


safe  from  capture.  Mosby  regretted  the  loss  of  his  noble 
gray  horse,  which* was  a  fine  animal  and  a  great  favorite, 
more  than  he  did  the  loss  of  the  prisoners. 

Monday,  March  28. — At  a  meeting  held  at  Paris,  Company 
D  was  organized.  R.  P.  Montjoy  was  chosen  Captain ;  Al 
fred  Glascock,  First  Lieuten 
ant  ;  Charles  E.  Grogan,  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant,  and  William 
Trundle,  Third  Lieutenant. 

Capt.  R.  P.  Montjoy  was  a 
Mississippian  and  entered  the 
army  as  a  private  in  an  infantry 
regiment  from  his  native  State, 
but  he  afterwards  obtained  a 
transfer  to  Mosby 's  command. 
Lieut.  Alfred  Glascock,  of 
Fauquier,  first  entered  the  army 
as  a  private,  but  was  promoted 
to  a  lieutenancy  in  Capt.  (after 
wards  General)  Turner  Ashby's 
Cavalry  Company.  After  the 
death  of  Ashby  he  joined 
Mosby,  where  by  his  gallant 
conduct  he  soon  attracted  the 
attention  of  his  superiors  as 
well  as  of  his  comrades. 

Lieut.  Charles  E.  Grogan  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Vir 
ginia,  but  made  his  home  in  Maryland.  In  July,  1861,  he 
crossed  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  and  enlisted  in  Capt. 
William  H.  Murray's  Company,  First  Maryland  Regiment, 
under  Colonel,  afterwards  Gen.  George  H.  Stewart ;  was 
first  under  fire  at  the  Battle  of  Bull  Run ;  afterwards  acted 
as  aid  to  Gen.  I.  R.  Trimble,  and  received  his  first  wound 
at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  officially  commended  for 
conspicuous  service  by  Gen.  R.  E.  Colston,  who  in  that 
battle  commanded  General  Trimble's  Division,  Trimble  at 
the  time  being  disabled  from  a  wound  received  at  the  second 
battle  of  Manassas.  In  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Grogan  was 
twice  wounded  while  acting  as  aid  to  General  Trimble. 


CAPT.  ALFRED  GLASCOCK,  CO.  D. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  whon  he  was  a 

Lieutenant  under  Gen.  Turner  Ashby. 


MO'SBYS    RANGERS. 


155 


When  Lee  fell  back  he  was  left  wounded  in  hospital  near 
Gettysburg,  and  after  some  weeks  was  sent  with  Trimble 
and  other  prisoners,  first  to  Fort  McHenry  and  thence  to 
Johnson's  Island  on  Lake  Erie,  from  which  place  he   made 
his  escape,  and  afterfa  long  and 
tedious  journey  succeeded   in 
reaching    Virginia,    where    he 
joined  Mosby.3 

Lieut.  William  Trundle  was 
a  Mary  lander,  a  brave  soldier, 
who  had  by  his  daring  exploits 
won  the  esteem  of  the  command 
and  of  his  commander. 

In  Company  A,  Harry  Hatch 
er,  formerly  of  the  Seventh 
Virginia  Cavalry,  was  elected 
Third  Lieutenant  to  succeed 
Nelson,  who  had  been  pro 
moted  to  the  position  filled  by 
Lieutenant  Hunter,  who  had  in 
turn  succeeded  to  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  Turner. 

On  the  day  previous  to  the  election  in  Company  D, 
Lieutenant  Trunnell  went  over  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley 
on  a  scout  with  John  S.  Russell,  John  Castleman  and  a  man 
named  Coyle,  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry.  On  the  night 
of  March  27th,  near  Bunker  Hill,  they  were  fired  upon  by  a 
party  of  Federal  soldiers  in  ambush,  and  Coyle  and  Trun 
nell  were  killed,  but  Russell  and  Castleman  escaped.  The 
fact  of  Trunnell's  death  was  not  known  until  after  the  elec 
tion,  and  then  David  S.  Briscoe,  of  Baltimore,  was  chosen  to 
fill  the  office. 

Wednesday,  April  13.— A  young  man  named  M.  W.  Flan- 
nery,  belonging  to  Company  A,  was  killed  to-day  near 
Catlett's  Station.  He  had  already  been  twice  in  the  Federal 
camp,  and  was  approaching  a  picket  with  the  intention  of 
capturing  him  when  the  picket  ordered  him  to  halt.  While 
parleying  with  the  soldier  a  sudden  gust  of  wind  blew  open 

z  See  account  of  Lieut    Grogan's  escape,  p.  482  in  Appendix. 


LIEUT.  CHARLES  E.  GROGAN,  CO.  D. 
From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 


56 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


his  overcoat,  exposing  his  gray  uniform,  and  the  soldier 
fired  at  him,  the  ball  entering  his  breast.  Flannery  thrust 
his  handkerchief  into  his  bosom  to  staunch  the  flow  of 
blood,  and  drawing  his  pistol,  fired  twice  at  the  picket,  and 
raised  the  weapon  to  fire  a  third  time,  but  fell  to  the  ground 
before  he  could  pull  the  trigger.  He  was  a  determined  man 
and  a  brave  soldier. 

Tuesday,  April  19. — It  was  now  rumored  that  the  Federal 
forces  camped  around  Warrenton  were  contemplating  a  raid 
through  "  Mosby's  Confederacy,"  and  with  the  Cornwell 

and  Binn's  raids  fresh  in  their 
memory,  our  men  were  deter 
mined  to  give  them  a  warm 

^^gPH^  reception.      Mosby  ordered 

the  command  to  assemble  at 

•fill   **9&  &  Somerset  Mills,  on  the  road 

from  Piedmont  to  Paris. 
Soon  after  dark  we  moved, 
with  1 80  men,  to  the  woods 
near  Mrs.  Shacklett's,  about 
a  mile  from  Piedmont,  where 
we  lay  concealed,  awaiting 
the  approach  of  the  raiders. 
Pickets  were  placed  to  warn 
us  of  their  coming;  wire  was 
LIEUT.  DAVID  s.  BRiscoE,  co.  D.  stretched  across  the  road  to 
From  a  Photograph.  drag  them  from  their  horses, 

as  they  were  expected  to  dash 

along  the  road.  Every  description  of  old  firearms — shot  guns 
and  muskets,  were  brought  out  and  heavily  loaded  with  shot 
and  slugs.  In  many  cases  it  was,  no  doubt,  as  fortunate  for  our 
own  men  as  for  the  enemy  that  these  guns  were  not  dis 
charged.  Each  man  then  had  his  revolvers  to  finish  up  the 
work  of  destruction.  We  waited  until  daylight,  when  we 
were  dismissed,  with  instructions  to  meet  again  at  night 
(April  20th).  This  we  did,  and  with  220  men  went  through 
the  same  performance,  which  was  also  repeated  on  the 
night  following  (April  2ist).  But  the  enemy  failed  to  mate 
rialize.  Whether  they  had  friends  among  us  Avho  gave  them 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  157 

warning,  or  whether  they  were  content  to  rest  on  their 
laurels  rather  than  risk  their  lives  by  attempting-  another 
such  raid  we  knew  not — we  only  knew  that  they  did  not 
come. 

Friday,  April  22. — Mosby,  with  30  men,  attacked  a  picket 
post  near  Hunter's  Mill,  in  Fairfax.  Mosby  dismounted  his 
men,  leaving  a  few  in  charge  of  the  horses,  and  charged  on 
foot,  killing  I  and  capturing  5  prisoners  and  18  horses.  Most 
of  the  Federals  escaped  in  the  darkness. 

After  the  capture  Lieutenant  Hunter  was  ordered  to  take 
the  command  back  to  Fauquier,  while  Mosby  went  on  a 
scout  with  Bush.  Underwood. 

In  the  meantime,  some  of  the  fugitive  pickets  had  notified 
the  Federal  cavalry  at  Vienna  of  the  attack  on  the  post,  and 
Colonel  Lowell  started  a  detachment  of  the  California  Bat 
talion  in  pursuit  of  the  Rangers,  who  were  overtaken  near 
Aldie,  on  the  Little  River  turnpike. 

As  soon  as  the  Federals  came  in  sight,  Hunter  sent  for 
ward  the  prisoners  and  horses  under  guard,  and  with  Lieu 
tenant  Nelson  halted  his  command  and  boldly  charged  upon 
the  enemy.  The  contest  was  a  sharp  one,  but  the  forces 
being  too  unequal  in  point  of  numbers,  the  Rangers  were 
defeated.  Lieutenant  Hunter  of  Company  A,  was  riding  a 
fine4ooking  gray  horse,  which  had  been  captured  at  the 
picket  post.  In  the  fight  the  horse  fell  and  Hunter  endeav 
ored  to  make  his  escape  on  foot,  but  was  taken  prisoner. 
Nelson,  in  attempting  to  save  Hunter,  was  shot  in  the  hip, 
but  made  his  way  out,  and  was  taken  to  Sam  Craig's,  in  the 
Bull  Run  mountains.  Welt  Hatcher  was  also  wounded 
slightly.  All  the  prisoners  and  horses  were  brought  out.4 
[See  Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  IX,  p.  412.] 


HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,  \ 
Vienna,   Va.,  April  23,  1864.         j" 

LOWELL  to  LA  MOTTE  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  all  quiet  in  this  vicinity. 
The  pickets  near  Hunter's  Mi. Is  were  attacked  about  4  A.  M.  to-day  by  a  dis 
mounted  party,  with  a  loss  of  9  horses  and  3  men  captured  and  I  man  wounded. 
No  resistance  was  made  by  the  pickets,  only  3  shots  being  fired.  A  party 
started  out  about  reveille  this  morning,  as  soon  as  the  news  of  the  attack  reached 
camp,  and,  after  finding  the  trail,  started  after  the  party  in  rapid  pursuit,  came 


158  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

In  April  Lieut.  A.  E.  Richards  was  promoted  to  the  com 
mand  of  Company  B,  as  appears  by  the  following  order : 

SPECIAL  ORDER,  )    HEADQUARTERS  430  BATTALION, 
No.  — .          j  PARTIZAN  RANGERS. 

April  26,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant   Adolphus    E.    Richards,    Company    C, 
having  been  promoted  by  his  Excellency,  the  President,  to 
the  Captaincy  of  Company  B  for  gallantry  and  skill  dis 
played  in  action,  will  be  respected  and  obeyed  accordingly. 
JOHN  S.  MOSBY, 

Lieut. -Colonel  Commanding. 

Friday,   April  29. — A  detail   of   our  men  being  down  in 
Loudoun  on  a  foraging  expedition,  Colonel  Lowell  started 
from  Vienna  with  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  supported  by  Gen 
eral  Tyler's  brigade  of  infantry 
from    Fairfax   C.    H.,   to    drive 
rjMMfr,  them    out     and     "  gobble    up " 

Bit  Mosby.     A  body  of  the  Federal 

/  cavalry   came    up   to   Leesburg 

and  moved  on  to  Middleburg, 
where  they  were  joined  by  the 
larger  force,  and  together  they 
scoured  the  country  around  for 
three  or  four  days.  Being  so 
vastly  superior  to  us  in  num 
bers,  we  could  not  risk  an  open 

-_ -^  field     fight,    but     by    hovering 

MAJOR  ADOLPHUS  E.  RICHARDS,  around  their  camps,  making  sud- 

Forty-third  Battalion,  Virginia  Cavalry.       ^    ^^    ^    fi-  Qn    ^^ 

From  a  Photograph  taken  when  Cap-  ,  ,  f  ,. 

tain  of  company  B.  we  kept  them  from  straggling 

and  doing  more  damage.     Some 

sharp  skirmishes  took  place  at  times,  in  which  quite  a  num 
ber  were  lost  on  both  sides. 

in  sight  of  them  about  10  miles  of  Aldie,  and  chased  them  up  the  pike  through 
the  town,  the  rebels  scattering  in  all  directions. 

"Lieut.  W.  L.  Hunter,  of  Co.  A,  Mosby's  Battalion,  was  taken  prisoner  dur 
ing  the  chase  and  brought  to  this'camp.  Two*  horses  were  re-taken  and  I  shot. 
One  man  was  wounded  slightly.  The  party  consisted  of  50  men,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Mosby  himself.  They  came  down  to  the  vicinity  of  the  picket  and 
crossed  the  creek  mounted,  where  a  portion  of  them  dismounted  and  advanced 
on  foot  to  the  attack." 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


159 


When  the  Federal  cavalry  entered  Leesburg  tnere  were 
about  a  dozen  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  in  town.  A  number  were 
in  and  around  the  hotel,  with  their  horses  standing- in.  the 
street.  The  Federals  were  within  two  hundred  yards  of 
the  hotel  when  their  approach  was  first  noticed  by  a  group 
on  the  veranda.  Ewell  Atwell  and  Thomas  Flack  rushed  to 
their  horses,  mounted  and  dashed  off,  with  the  enemy  in  hot 
pursuit.  Flack  was  shot  on  the  edge  of  town.  Atwell, 
finding  his  pursuers  gaining  on  him,  abandoned  his  horse 
and  jumping  through  an 
Osage  orange  hedge,  made 
his  escape.  Will.  Devine 
and  -  —  King  ran  through 
the  hotel  and  out  into  the 
back  yard,  the  former  taking 
refuge  in  the  house  of  a 
friend  of  Union  sympathies 
and  the  latter  in  the  Episco 
pal  church  ;  both  escaped. 
All  who  were  in  the  bar-room 
were  captured  except  John 
P.  DeButts  of  Company  A. 
He  had  stopped  in  Leesburg 
to  have  his  horse  shod  and 
being  cut  off  from  the  black 
smith's  shop,  attempted  to 
fight  his  way  to  his  horse, 
but  was  shot  through  the 
breast  and  captured.  He 

was  taken  to  Fort  Delaware,  where  he  was  kept  a  prisoner 
for  eleven  months. 

DeButts  joined  Mosby  soon  after  he  started  out  as  a 
Partisan  and  some  months  before  his  first  company  was  or 
ganized.  He  was  one  of .  the  29  who  raided  Fairfax  Court 
House  and  captured  General  Stoughton.  In  the  early  part 
of  the  war  DeButts  served  in  the  First  Virginia  Cavalry, 
under  Col.  R.  Welby  Carter.  He  was  one  of  35  men  of 
Company  H  of  that  regiment  who  made  the  famous  charge 
near  the  Henry  House  at  the  first  battle  of  Manassas,  in 


JOHN  P.  DEBUTTS,  co.  A. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  in  1868. 


i6o 


MOSBYS   RANGERS. 


|* 


which  8  men  were  killed  and  the  majority  of  the  company 
wounded ;  he  having  his  pistol  shot  out  of  his  hand  and  a 
finger  taken  with  it. 

Flack  was  a  member  of  Company  D.  His  remains  were 
taken  to  his  home  in  Baltimore  by  his  brother  a  few  days 
after  his  death. 

The  Federal  Cavalry  marched  through  Bloomfield,  by 
Wernels,  Quaker  Lane  and  Trapp  road  to  Upperville,  cap- 
^ turing  on  their  way  Ed 

win  Rowzee,  George  H. 
Ayre,  Champ  Fitzhugh 
and  others.  Captain 
Richards  followed  in 
their  rear  with  about  40 
men  and  charged  them 
near  Loughborough's, 
killing  one  and  wounding 
several,  and  capturing 
one  man  with  his  horse 
and  equipments. 

The  Federals  then  went 
to  Holland's  Factory, 
where  they  destroyed 
and  carried  off  a  quan 
tity  of  wool,  and  after 
wards  came  back  to 
Upperville,  camping  at 
night  near  Hatcher's 
Mills,  a  short  distance 
below  town. 

One  of  our  men  named 
Ware  was  shot  in  the  hip  while  running-  up  the  mountain 
above  Upperville. 

Saturday,  April  30. — Mosby  returned  to-day  from  Fair 
fax,  where  he  had  been  scouting  with  Walter  Whaley, 
bringing  with  him  2  prisoners,  a  lieutenant  and  a  private, 
with  their  horses  and  accoutrements.  Lieutenant  Glasscock 
came  in  from  the  Valley  with  three  prisoners  and  their 
horses. 


COL.  CHARLES  RUSSELL  LOWELL,  JR., 

Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry. 

Killed  at  Battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  19,  1864,  while 

commanding  Reserve  Cavalry  Brigade  of 

Sheridan's  Army. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  161 

Giving  no  heed  to  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  Mosby, 
taking  a  few  men  with  him,  went  over  into  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  on  a  scout. 

Our  men  still  hung  around  the  Federals,  watching  their 
manoeuvres  and  occasionally  exchanging  shots.  Edward 
Smith,  of  Company  B,  was  killed  near  Melton's. 

The  Federals  on  their  route  seized  a  wagon  loaded  with 
bacon,  the  property  of  Mr.  George  Calvert,  an  old  resident 
of  Upperville.  When  in  the  vicinity  of  that  town  the  negro 
teamster  turned  the  horses  loose  and  they  were  driven  home 
by  his  dog.5 

5  Federal  Reports. 

Fairfax  Court-House^  May  1,  1S64. 

TYLER  to  TAYLOR  :  "The  cavalry,  Colonel  Lowell,  have  returned  to  Vienna, 
after  visiting  Leesburg,  Upperville,  Rectortown,  &c.  They  bring  23  of  '  Mosby's 
Men  '  prisoners,  3  blockade  runners,  20  to  25  horses,  some  wool,  tobacco  and 
other  contraband  goods.  Colonel  Lowell  lost  one  sergeant  and  2  privates 
killed,  2  wounded  and  4  prisoners.  Mosby  lost  2  killed  and  4  wounded  (2  pris 
oners).  The  body  buried  at  Upperville  was  brought  to  Vienna,  where  it  is  sub 
ject  to  order." 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,  / 
Vienna,    Va.,  May   1,  1804.  J 

LOWELL  to  LA  MOTTE  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  return  of  the  cavalry  scout 
sent  out  on  Thursday  after  visiting  Leesburg,  Upperville,  Paris,  Bloomfield, 
Union  and  Rectortown.  No  force  but  Mosby  was  found  there.  We  searched 
most  of  the  houses  designated  by  General  Auger,  and  have  brought  in  quite  a 
number  of  arms  and  contraband  goods  ;  also  21  of  '  Mosby's  Men  '  and  2  block 
ade  runners  (besides  i  of  '  Mosby's  Men  '  and  I  blockade  runner  turned  over  by 
Colonel  McMahon),  and  from  20  to  25  horses.  A  report  in  full  from  the  Pro 
vost  Marshal  will  be  forwarded  to-morrow.  We  brought  off  a  portion  of  the 
wool  indicated  in  the  letter  to  General  Auger,  and  supplied  the  command  pretty 
well  with  tobacco.  It  was  impossible  to  get  teams  to  haul  the  remainder  of  the 
wool.  The  houses  where  the  bulk  of  the  tobacco  must  have  been  stored  we  did 
not  visit,  as  the  direction  of  some  was  given  erroneously  in  the  letter,  and  a 
good  deal  of  time  thus  lost.  Those  below  Salem  must  be  left  for  another  visit. 

"  We  lost  i  sergeant  killed,  i  prisoner  and  2  wounded  of  Second  Massachu 
setts  Cavalary,  2  privates  killed  and  3  prisoners  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry  ; 
i  of  the  killed  and  all  of  these  prisoners  were  straggling  away  from  the  com 
mand  improperly.  We  killed  i  of  Mosby's  Battalion  and  i  of  Sixth  Virginia 
Cavalry,  serving  with  Mosby;  wounded  2,  besides  2  wounded  brought  in." 


CHAPTER  X. 

May,  1864—  The  Federal  Army  under  General  Grant  Moving  towards  Fredericksburg  -Mosby  in 
their  Rear — Captures  Wagon  Train  near  Belle  Plain — Richards  and  Chapman  in  the  Valley 
in  Sigel's  Rear — Skirmish  with  the  "  Loudoun  Rangers  "  atWaterford — "  Mosby's  Men  " 
in  the  Valley— Capture  of  Picket  Post  at  Guard  Hill. 

The  Federal  Army  under  General  Grant  was  now  moving 
towards  Fredericksburg,  their  cavalry  had  all  left  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Warrenton,  and  the  terrible  struggle  in  the 
Wilderness  had  already  commenced. 

The  command  assembled  at  Rectortown  on  Saturday,  May 
7th,  and  bivouacked,  awaiting  the  return  of  Mosby,  who 
was  on  a  scout  near  Brandy  Station.  He  returned  before 
noon  on  the  8th  and  issued  his  orders  to  the  command. 
Lieutenant  Hatcher  was  sent  down  Fairfax  with  a  small 
party,  but  accomplished  nothing  worth  noting.  Captains 
Richards  and  Chapman,  with  15  to  20  men  each,  were  in 
structed  to  operate  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Major  Hibbs, 
with  a  detail,  was  sent  down  to  Loudoun  to  press  corn  for 
the  use  of  the  Battalion,  while  Mosby,  with  about  50  of 
the  best  mounted  men,  started  towards  the  Rappahannock 
and  the  rear  of  Grant's  army. 

Mosby  left  Salem  about  5  P.  M.,  halting  at  Warrenton  for 
supper.  Near  Rappahannock  Station1  we  came  upon  a  de 
serted  camp.  The  old  roads  were  blockaded  with  felled 
trees,  new  roads  had  been  cut,  and  owing  to  the  darkness  we 
had  some  difficulty  in  getting  through  the  barricades.  At 
last  we  halted  in  a  thick  body  of  pines,  and  haltering  our 
horses  to  the  trees,  lay  down  beside  them  until  morning. 
At  times,  when  there  were  no  convenient  places  to  fasten 
our  horses,  we  would  throw  the  bridles  over  the  horses' 
heads,  and  putting  one  hand  through  the  bridle,  fold  our 
arms  and  stretch  ourselves  on  the  ground,  sometimes  finding 
our  tired  animals  sleeping  by  our  sides  when  we  awoke. 

1  Now  called  Remington. 

162 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


163 


At  daylight  on  the  morning-  of  the  9th  we  were  again  on 
our  road,  passing  through  an  old  camp  which  a  sign-board 
informed  us  had  been  honored  with  the  name  of  "  Liberty." 
The  logs  and  stone  chimneys  of  the  roofless  huts  remained 
standing,  and  scattered  around  were  coffee  pots,  tin  cups 
and  cans,  old  clothing,  etc.,  left  by  the  late  occupants.  The 
old  guard-house  and  the  officers'  quarters  could  be  easily 
distinguished  among  the  ruins.  We  halted  in  the  pine 
woods  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  railroad,  while 
Mosby  and  Sergeant  Johnson 
went  along  the  line  of  the  road 
to  reconnoitre.  In  the  evening 
he  returned,  and  taking  35  men 
•proceeded  towards  Fredericks- 
burg. 

The  remainder  of  the  men, 
under  Sergeant  Johnson,  were 
ordered  to  burn  two  bridges 
near  Bealeton  Station,  and  on 
the  night  of  the  Qth  started  to 
perform  that  task.  Going 
through  an  abandoned  camp, 
each  man  in  obedience  to  or 
ders  dismounted  and  picked  up 
an  empty  box,  numbers  of 
which  were  lying  around,  to  be 
used  in  firing  the  bridges.  The 
night  was  dark,  and  after  riding 
two  or  three  miles,  the  guide 
said  :  "  Put  down  your  boxes  and  go  back." 
his  way. 

Reaching  a  piece  of  woods,  the  party  lay  by  their  horses 
to  await  the  coming  of  day  to  see  where  they  were,  and  in 
the  morning  found  themselves  within  half  a  mile  of  the  start 
ing  place  of  the  previous  night.  The  guide  said  that 
though  born  and  reared  within  three  miles  of  the  place,  the 
whole  face  of  the  country  was  so  changed  that  he  could  not 
recognize  it. 


SERGT.  HOR'ACE  JOHNSON,  co.  B. 


He  had  lost 


164  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

Mosby  with  his  party  was  more  fortunate.  Detaching- 
about  a  dozen  of  his  men  to  destroy  some  bridges  in  the 
direction  of  Culpeper  Court  House,  he  moved  on,  intending 
to  strike  Grant's  line  of  communication  between  Fredericks- 
burg  and  the  Potomac  river.  Near  Belle  Plain  he  dis 
covered  a  wagon  train  moving  towards  the  Potomac.  He 
divided  his  command,  directing  Grogan  to  take  one-half  to 
the  rear  of  the  train  and  counting  off  ten  wagons,  to  tell  the 


CULPEPER  COURT  HOUSE  IN  WAR  TIMES. 

driver  of  the  tenth  wagon  to  turn  off  to  the  left — that  he 
was  on  the  wrong  road.  This  would  cause  the  wagons 
behind  to  follow,  while  those  in  front  went  ahead  without 
the  loss  being  noticed.  The  ruse  worked  well  and  the 
wagons  wheeled  off  out  of  the  road.  W.  Ben  Palmer  was 
then  ordered  to  go  to  the  front  with  10  men,  stop  the  train 
and  take  the  remainder  of  the  wagons.  Just  as  Palmer 
started  on  his  mission,  a  Federal  officer  rode  back  from  the 
front  of  the  train  and  said  roughly  : 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  165 

"  Who  in  the  hell  has  stopped  these  wagons  and  turned 
them  off  the  road?" 

"  Colonel  Mosby,"  answered  Palmer,  covering  him  with 
his  pistol. 

The  officer  gave  utterance  to  a  feeble  grunt  and  was 
turned  over  to  Mosby. 

Palmer  then  went  on.  The  train  meanwhile  had  come 
to  a  halt,  the  rear  wagons  having  been  missed  and  the 
captured  officer  being  on  his  way  back  to  learn  the  cause  of 
the  stoppage.  Mosby  had  instructed  Palmer  not  to  fire  a 
shot  if  he  could  avoid  it,  but  some  of  the  drivers  resisted 
and  a  number  of  shots  were  exchanged.  It  was  soon  over, 
however,  and  all  the  teams  were  unhitched  from  the  wagons. 
The  night  was  dark,  with  a  drizzling  rain,  and  as  Palmer 
moved  off  with  his  captures  to  rejoin  Mosby,  he  found  him 
self  in  the  vicinity  of  a  Federal  camp.  The  camp-fires  were 
burning  and  the  voices  of  the  soldiers  could  be  plainly 
heard.  He  quickly  took  the  back  track  and  soon  heard 
some  one  call  him  in  a  low  tone.  It  was  Mosby,  who  said : 

"  I  heard  the  shooting  and  thought  you  had  run  into  some 
Yankee  cavalry.  I  went  to  Grogan  to  get  his  men  to  help 
you  out." 

While  Mosby  was  on  this  errand,  Palmer  had  passed  by 
and  was  on  the  road  to  the  camp, 

Twenty-five  prisoners,  45  horses  and  15  mules  were  cap 
tured  on  this  raid,  without  the  loss  or  injury  of  a  man. 

Mosby  was  so  well  pleased  with  his  success  that  on  his 
return  to  Fauquier  he  immediately  called  his  command 
together  and  with  50  fresh  men  and  horses  moved  down  for 
another  attack,  but  found  the  line  of  communication  so 
heavily  guarded  with  cavalry  and  infantry  that  it  was  use 
less  to  make  any  demonstration. 

We  will  now  return  to  Captains  Richards  and  Chapman, 
who  had  been  detailed  to  operate  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley 
in  the  rear  of  Sigel's  forces,  now  moving  up  the  Valley. 

Crossing  the  Shenandoah  at  Berry's  Ferry,  Richards,  with 
16  men,  on  the  morning  of  the  gth  of  May,  pushed  on  to 
wards  Newtown,  where  he  lay  in  the  woods  all  day,  occa 
sionally  picking  up  a  few  stragglers.  About  noon  3  Federal 


1 66 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


cavalrymen  were  observed  riding-  along  the  pike  and  Rich 
ards,  with  Charles  H.  Dear,  Boyd  Smith  and  Charles  L.  Hall 
galloped  out  and  followed  them  into  the  village.  Spurring 
their  horses,  they  were  soon  beside  the  trio  and  escorted 
them  off  to  the  woods,  whence  they  were  sent  with  the 
other  prisoners  under  a  guard  of  4  men  to  Fauquier. 

Towards  night  Richards  moved  off  in  the  direction  of 
Winchester,  with  12  men,  telling  them  to  keep  quiet;  that 

if  they  met  any  Yankees 
he  would  do  the  talking, 
and  if  only  a  small  detach 
ment,  the  Rangers  should 
ride  up  beside  them  and 
capture  them.  It  was 
raining  and  darkness 
soon  set  in.  After  riding 
about  three  miles,  the 
tramp  of  horses  was 
heard  on  the  pike  and  in 
a  few  moments  came  an 
order  to  halt,  with  the 
query : 

"  Who  comes  there  ?  " 
"  First  New  York  Cav 
alry,"  replied  Richards. 

"All  right,  First  New 
York,"  said  the  Federal 
o  ffi  c  e  r ,  "  we  are  the 
Twenty-first  New  York ; 
come  on.  We  are  the 
advance  guard  of  a  wag 
on  train."  (24  men.) 

Richards  then  learned  that  the  train,  with  a  heavy  guard 
of  cavalry,  was  only  a  few  hundred  yards  behind.  Continu 
ing  the  conversation,  Richards  said  his  party  was  on  its 
way  to  Martinsburg  to  telegraph  to  Washington  that  Sigel 
had  whipped  the  Rebs  and  had  gone  on  to  Staunton.  The 
Federals  replied  with  a  cheer.  Richards  said  he  had  no 
time  to  stop,  and  rode  by  with  his  men  in  single  file.  As 


MAJOR-GENERAL  FRANZ  SIGEL,  U.  S.  A. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


i67 


his  twelfth  man  reached  the  head  of  the  column,  they 
wheeled  and  covering  the  Federals  with  their  revolvers,  de 
manded  a  surrender.  The  Rangers  were  proceeding  to  dis 
arm  them  quietly,  when  a  pistol  shot  was  fired  and  the  fight 
became  general.  Reinforcements  from  the  main  body 
charged  up  and  Richards  was  compelled  to  retreat.  The 
Rangers  escaped  by  taking  to  the  woods.  Charles  H.  Dear 
was  wounded,  receiving  a  ball  in  his  side.  A  number  of 
the  Federals  were  killed  and  wounded.  (See  Mosby's  Re 
port,  Appendix,  X.) 

Chapman,  with  his  party,  proceeded  to  the  vicinity  of  the 
Winchester  turnpike,  hoping  to  encounter  one  of  the  scout 
ing  parties  of  Federals  in  their 
daily  excursions.  He  overtook 
a  detachment  of  the  First  New 
York  Cavalry,  and  after  a  sharp 
skirmish  captured  6  prisoners 
and  7  horses,  but  was  compelled 
to  retire  on  the  approach  of 
the  regiment,  bringing  off  his 
captures  safely-  Lieut.  Chap 
man  and  Dr.  Sowers  had  their 
horses  shot,  but  norie  of  the  men 
were  injured. 

Monday,  May  16.  —  Learning 
that  a  portion  of  Keyes'  com 
mand  (the  Loudoun  Rangers) 
had  crossed  the  Potomac  and 
were  then  in  Loudoun  County, 
Captain  A.  E.  Richards  started 
from  Bloomfield  with  30  men,  hoping  to  have  a  brush 
with  them.  We  reached  Hillsborough  about  10  o'clock 
at  night  and  getting  on  their  trail,  followed  on  to  Water- 
ford,  near  which  place  we  halted.  Shortly  after  daylight 
on  the  morning  of  the  i/th  we  approached  the  town, 
keeping  out  of  sight  behind  a  hill,  while  Richards  with  two 
men  went  into  town  to  draw  the  enemy  out.  He  was  soon 
observed  and  fired  upon,  and  6  of  Keyes'  men  gave  chase, 
following  nearly  to  where  we  were  concealed.  As  Richards 


CHARLES  H.  DEAR,  CO.  E. 
From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 


1 68  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

came  in  sight  he  waved  his  hat  and  away  we  went,  firing 
into  the  advancing  party.  Of  the  6  men  but  one  returned 
— 3  were  wounded  and  2  captured.  We  dashed  through 
the  town  and  saw  the  enemy  forming  in  a  field  some 
distance  beyond.  We  charged  them  with  a  yell  and  they 
broke  and  ran.  We  kept  up  the  chase  for  about  three 
miles,  running  them  into  the  Kittoctan  Hills,  where  many 
jumped  from  their  horses,  leaving  them  standing  while  they 
hid  in  the  bushes.  Two  were  killed,  4  wounded  ;  five  pris 
oners  and  15  horses  with  their  equipments  were  brought  off. 
One  of  the  prisoners  told  us  they  had  45  men.  We  did  not 
have  a  man  injured.2 

Saturday,  May  21. — Command  met  yesterday,  but  the 
Shenandoah  River  could  not  be  forded,  owing  to  the  recent 
heavy  rain,  and  we  bivouacked  near  Mount  Carmel  Church, 
crossing  the  river  this  morning  with  103  men.3 

Mosby,  however,  crossed  yesterday  in  a  skiff  with  a  few 
men,  swimming  their  horses,  and  went  on  a  scout  towards 
Winchester.  While  riding  along  the  turnpike,  a  patrol  of 

3  Harper's  Ferry,  May  17,  1864. 

KELLEY  to  HALLECK  :  "  A  company  of  independent  cavalry,  raised  in  Lou- 
doun  County,  Va.,  were  attacked  this  A.  M.  near  Waterford,  in  said  county,  by 
a  detachment  of  Mosby's  Men,  numbering  about  100.  Our  men  were  driven  in 
here,  losing  2  killed  and  7  captured." 

Point  of  Rocks,  May  17,  1S64. 

DUNCAN  to  SLOUGH  :  "Mosby,  with  his  command,  is  in  Loudoun.  Had  a 
fight  with  Captain  Keyes  yesterday,  killing  and  capturing  8.  Three  of  Mosby's 
officers  will  be  married  in  Leesburg  to-night.  A  great  frolic.  There  are  about 
300  of  them.  A  good  chance  to  catch  them." 

Point  of  Rocks,  May  18,  1864. 

WHITE  to  BURLEIGH  :  "Up  to  the  present  time  there  has  13  men  and  n 
horses  come  in  of  Captain  Keyes'  command." 


3  HEADQUARTERS,  Harper's  Ferry,  May  23,  1864. 

BURLEIGH  to  MAULSBY  :  "  I  hear  from  good  authority  that  150  of  Mosby's 
men  have  crossed  into  Clarke  County.  Send  no  trains  out  unless  very  well 
guarded,  as  they  will  surely  be  attacked." 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  169 

8  men  was  seen  approaching,  and,  upon  being  halted,  told 
Mosby  to  dismount  and  advance.  "  No,  I  will  not,"  said  he  ; 
"  how  do  we  know  who  you  are  ?  "  While  the  conversation 
was  going  on,  some  of  the  Rangers  manceuvered  to  get  in 
the  front  and  rear.  Mosby  then  demanded  their  surrender, 
and  the  whole  patrol  was  captured,  without  firing  a 
shot. 

Mosby  to-day  rejoined  the  command,  which  had,  in  the 
meantime,  moved  to  a  point  a  few  miles  from  Guard  Hill. 

At  Guard  Hill  was  a  picket  post  of  about  75  men.  Stop 
ping  at  a  house  near  by,  Mosby  questioned  a  man  regarding 
the  position,  numbers,  etc.,  of 
the  picket.  The  man  tried  to 
persuade  him  to  give  up  the 
idea  of  attack,  saying  that  the 
force  was  too  heavy  ;  that  they 
had  been  reinforced ;  that 
there  were  250  cavalry  and  50 
or  60  infantry  at  the  post, 
and  that  the  cavalry  were 
well  mounted. 

"  That  is  so  much  the  bet 
ter,"  said  Mosby  ;  "  two  horses 
apiece  and  good  ones  at  that." 

The  post  was  in  the  pines, 
but  we  did  not  know  its  exact 
position.  Lieutenants  Samuel 
Chapman  and  Nelson  went 
in  to  reconnoitre  and  were 

r         i  T^.  j          SERGT.  THOMAS  BOOKER.  CO.  E 

twice  fired   on.     Dismounted  _,        ... 

c  rom  a  War-time  Photograph. 

men  were  then  sent  in  ad 
vance,  and  moving  cautiously  in  the  rear  until  near  enough 
to  charge,  the  order  was  given.  Firing  a  volley,  we 
dashed  into  the  camp.  The  Federals  fled  on  foot,  taking 
refuge  in  the  thick  woods.  They  were  heard  talking  at  a 
short  distance,  when  another  volley  silenced  and  scattered 
them.  The  horses  tied  around  were  driven  off,  and  the  men 
helped  themselves  to  the  spoils  of  the  camp.  Some  horses 
were  left  on  the  road,  but  66  horses  were  brought  away, 


170  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

together  with  16  prisoners.     One  Federal  soldier  was  killed 
and  one  wounded.     Mosby  sustained  no  loss.4 

4   In  consequence  of  this  capture,  the  following  orders  were  issued  by  the 
Federal  commander  : 

GENERAL  ORDERS  )  HDQRS.  DEPT.  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA, 

No.  31.  f  In  the  Field,  near  Cedar  Creek,  May  24,  1864. 

II.  Maj.  Henry  Roessle,  Fifteenth   New  York  Cavalry9  having  grossly  neg 
lected  his  duty  while  in  command  of  pickets,  resulting  in  the  capture  of  n  men 
and  45  horses,  is  dishonorably  dismissed  the  service  of  the  United  States  from 
this  date,  subject  to  the  approval  of  His  Excellency,  the  President. 

III.  It  has  been  reported  to  the  Commanding  General  that  Capt.   Michael 
Auer,  Company  A,  Fifteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  dismissed  yesterday  for  the 
same  offense,  behaved   bravely  when  aroused,  and  exerted  himself  to  rally  his 
surprised  pickets.      Personal  bravery  is  indispensable  in  a  good  soldier,  but 
cannot  be  urged  as  an  excuse  for  gross  neglect  of  a  vital  duty,  thus  endanger 
ing  the  lives  of  thousands  of  our  fellow-soldiers  and  the  welfare  of  the  country. 
Picket  and  outpost  duty  must  be  attended  to  with  the  greatest  strictness.     Care 
less  and  inefficient  officers  must  give  way  to  trustworthy  privates. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Hunter. 

CHAS.  G.   HALPINE, 

Assistant  A  djutant- General, 


CHAPTER  XL 

May  and  June,  1864— The  Shenandoah  Valley— General  Hunter's  Brutal  Orders— Attack  Train 
near  Newtown — '  Mosby's  Confederacy  "  —  Bounds  Prescribed— The  Old  Battle  Field  of 
Bull  Run — Capture  Federal  Cavalry  near  Chantilly — Fight  near  Charlestown--Capture 
of  Duffield  Depot— The  Return  from  the  Raid. 

The  Shenandoah  Valley  was  now  the  theatre  of  active  and 
earnest  war.  In  the  early  part  of  May  General  Sigel  was 
sent  with  a  large  force  up  the  Valley,  but  meeting  with  de 
feat  at  New  Market,  he  \vas  superseded  by  General  Hunter, 
who  undertook  an  expedition  against  Lynchburg.  Being 
compelled  to  retreat  by  General  Early,  who  followed  up  his 
advantage  by  invading  Maryland  and  threatening  Washing 
ton,  Hunter  was  in  turn  displaced  by  General  Sheridan,  to 
whom  was  entrusted  the  command  of  the  Federal  forces  in 
the  Valley. 

Saturday,  May  28. — The  command  met  at  Rectortown, 
and  Mosby  with  144  men  marched  off,  passing  through 
Markham  and  Linden,  and  bivouacked  in  a  field  a  short  dis 
tance  from  Front  Royal.  About  midnight  a  wagon  loaded 
with  corn  was  brought  in  and  the  men  were  roused  to  feed 
their  horses.  Soon  the  poor  animals  were  contentedly 
munching  their  corn,  while  their  masters  lay  around  on  the 
grass  and  in  the  fence  corners. 

Next  morning  (29th)  we  crossed  the  Shenandoah  river  and 
moved  on  towards  Strasburg,  halting  about  a  mile  or  two 
from  the  town,  where  we  remained  nearly  the  whole  day. 
Colonel  Mosby  and  a  few  men  who  were  watching  the  road 
saw  a  train  of  wagons  passing  along,  but  it  was  too  heavily 
guarded  to  be  attacked.  Later  in  the  day  about  100  cavalry 
passed  by,  but  as  they  were  supposed  to  be  on  their  way  to 
escort  a  train  they,  too,  were  suffered  to  pass  unmolested. 

In  the  evening 'we  moved  off,  keeping  a  line  parallel  with, 
but  out  of  sight  of  the  turnpike  leading  from  Winchester  to 
Strasburg,  and  halted  near  Middletown.  At  this  place  the 
Federals  had  been  butchering  cattle,  and  our  noses  were 
greeted  with  a  horrible  stench  from  the  heads,  feet,  paunches 
and  entrails  scattered  around- 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


On  the  morning  of  the  3Oth  we  marched  down  the  Valley 
turnpike,  entering  Middletown  about  daybreak.  Few  of  the 
inhabitants  were  then  stirring,  and  quiet  reigned  in  the  little 
town.  Occasionally  a  face  would  appear  at  some  half-opened 

window  and  then  suddenly  dis- 

-  -  appear,  after  which   the   door 

would  open  and  a  fair  lily-of- 
the- Valley  would  be  seen  com 
ing  forward  with  a  supply  of 
bread  and  milk,  which  was  very 
acceptable  to  our  hungry  men. 
At  one  house  a  door  was  opened 
and  a  man  stepped  out.  He 
looked  as  though  he  had  but 
recently  left  his  bed.  Rubbing 
his  eyes,  he  gazed  at  us  in  sur 
prise,  as  if  unwilling  to  believe 
his  senses,  then  suddenly  ex 
claimed—  "  Rebels,  by  God!" 
His  evident  surprise  and  the 
earnest  manner  in  which  it  was 
expressed  were  amusing,  and 

caused  a  ripple  of  laughter  along  our  line.  As  we  ap 
proached  Newtown,  Mosby  and  a  few  men,  riding  in 
advance,  captured  a  picket  of  3  men. 

Between  Middletown  and  Newtown1  we  saw  the  smoking 
remains  of  a  train  of  wagons  which  had  been  captured  and 
burned  by  Major  Harry  Gilmor  during  the  night.  Near 
by  a  heavy  smoke  rolled  upward  from  a  barn,  the  property 
of  a  lady.  It  had  been  set  on  fire  by  the  Federals  in  re 
taliation  for  the  destruction  of  the  train.2 

1  Newtown   was   formerly    called   Stephensburg,    after    Peter    Stephens,  its 
founder.     It  is  now  called  Stephens  City.     It  is  8  miles  south  of  Winchester. 
Middletown  is  5  miles  south  of  Newtown. 


OSCAR  DECATUR  MILLER,  CO.  E. 


2 HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA,  ) 
In  the  Field,  at  Rude' s  Hill,  Va.,  May  30,  1864.      f 
Major  T.  QUINN,  Commanding  First  New  York  Cavalry  : 

MAJOR  :  You  will  detail  from  your  command  200  men,  with  the  proper  com 
plement  of  commissioned  officers,  to  proceed  to  Newtown  to-morrow  morning 
at  3  o'clock,  for  the  purpose  of  burning  every  house,  store  and  outbuilding  in 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


173 


General  Hunter,  commanding  the  Federal  forces  in  the 
Valley,  had  in  the  latter  part  of  May  issued  a  proclama 
tion,  in  which  he  said  : 

"  For  every  train  fired  or  soldier  assassinated,  the  house 
and  other  property  of  every  secession  sympathizer  residing 
within  a  circuit  of  five  miles  shall  be  destroyed  by  fire ;  and 
for  all  public  property  taken  or  destroyed,  an  assessment  of 
five  times  the  value  of  such  property  will  be  made  upon  the 
secession  sympathizers 
residing  within  a  circuit 
of  ten  miles  around  the 
point  at  which  the  of- 
ence  was  committed." 

These  citizens  upon 
whom  Hunter  proposed 
to  retaliate  were  no  more 
responsible  for  our  acts 
than  the  most  loyal  citi 
zen  of  the  North,  and 
they  were  powerless  to 
prevent  them.  This 
brutal  edict  was  in  keep 
ing  with  other  acts  of 
Hunter.  General  Early, 
in  his  "  Memoirs,"  enu 
merates  some  of  the 
barbarous  outrages  of 
Hunter,  such  as  the 
burning  of  the  Military 
Institute  at  Lexington, 
with  its  contents,  including  its  library  and  scientific  appara- 


MAJ.-GEN.  DAVID  HUNTER,  U.  S.  A. 


that  place,  except  the  churches  and  houses  and  outbuildings  of  those  who  are 
known  to  be  loyal  citizens  of  the  United  States.  You  will  also  burn  the  houses, 
etc.,  of  all  rebels  between  Newtown  and  Middletown.  You  will  spare  the  house 
and  premises  of  Dr.  Owens,  at  Newtown,  he  having  been  very  kind  to  our 
wounded  soldiers  ;  and  where  the  burning  of  the  house  of  a  rebel  would  en 
danger  the  property  of  a  loyal  citizen,  the  house  or  outbuildings  of  the  rebel  shall 
not  be  burned.  You  will  report  back  to  these  headquarters,  making  a  written 
report  of  the  expedition. 

This  by  command  of  the  major-general  commanding. 

I  am,  Major,  very  obediently,  yours, 

P.  G.  BIER,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


174 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


tus  ;  the  plundering-  of  Washington  College,  and  the  burning 
and  plundering  of  private  houses.     On  page  43,  he  says  : 

"  On  this  day  (July  2d)  we  passed  through  Newtown, 
where  several  houses,  including  that  of  a  Methodist  min 
ister,  had  been  burned  by  Hunter's  orders,  because  a  part  of 

Mosby's  command  had  attacked 
a  train  of  supplies  for  Sigel's 
forces  at  this  place.  The  orig- 
inal  order  was  to  burn  the  whole 
town,  but  the  officer  sent  to  exe 
cute  it  had  revolted  at  the  cruel 
mandate  of  his  superior  and 
another  had  been  sent  who  but 
partially  executed  it,  after  having 
forced  the  people  to  take  an  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  United  States 
to  save  their  houses.  Mosby's 
Battalion,  though  called  '  guer 
rillas  '  by  the  enemy,  was  a  regu 
lar  organization  in  the  Conled- 
erate  army,  and  was  merely 
serving  on  detached  duty  under 
General  Lee's  orders.  The  at 
tack  on  the  train  was  an  act  of 
legitimate  warfare,  and  the  or 
ders  to  burn  Newtown  and  the 
burning  of  the  houses  mentioned 
were  most  wanton,  cruel,  unjust 
ifiable  and  cowardly."3 

We  were  now  ordered  to  leave  the  pike  and  go  into  a 
piece  of  woods  a  short  distance  off,  as  a  train  was  observed 
coming  up  the  turnpike.  Mosby  and  a  few  men. went  out 
on  the  pike  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  the  cavalry  from  the 
train.  Company  A  was  then  to  charge  them  in  front  and 
Companies  B  and  C  to  cut  them  off  and  attack  them  in  the 
rear.  Captain  Chapman,  with  40  men,  was  in  the  meantime 
to  charge  on  the  train,  drive  off  the  remaining  guards  and 
secure  the  horses,  etc. 

The   cavalry  advanced  and  fired  on   Mosby,  but    when 


COL.  HARRY  W.  GILMOR,  C.  S.  A. 

Second  Maryland  Battalion. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


3  A  Memoir  of  the  Last  Year  of  the  War  for  Independence  in  the  Confederate 
States  of  America.  By  Lieutenant-General  Jubal  A.  Early.  New  Orleans: 
Published  by  Blelock  &  Co.  1867. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  1/5 

Company  A  charged  we  found  the  Federal  cavalry  in  full 
retreat. 

Captain  Richards,  with  Company  B,  on  emerging  from 
the  woods  found  himself  opposed  to  a  force  of  infantry  drawn 
up  in  line  in  a  field  and  along  a  stone  fence  on  the  road  side. 
When  he  saw  the  array,  he  drew  off  his  men,  but  not  before 
they  had  received  the  fire  of  the  infantry,  which  killed  Wm. 
M.  Embrev,  of  Company  B,  and  wounded  a  man  named 
Hine.  Two  horses  were  killed. 

Captain  Chapman,  coming  out  with  his  men,  found  the 
wagons  traveling  with  all  speed  back  to  Winchester  with  a 
portion  of  the  infantry,  while  the  rest  were  going  down 
the  turnpike  at  a  double  quick.  He  fired  on  them,  killing  2. 
Five  prisoners,  with  their  horses  and  equipments,  were  cap 
tured.  We  then  burned  8  wagons  which  Gilmor  had  failed 
to  destroy. 

Although  the  train  was  not  captured,  these  attacks  had  the 
effect  of  compelling  Hunter  to  send  heavy  guards  with  all 
his  trains,  and  at  that  time,  as  all  his  supplies  had  to 
be  sent  by  wagons  from  Martinsburg,  a  large  force  was 
thus  kept  from  the  front.  (See  Mosby's  Report,  Appen 
dix,  X.) 

Wednesday,  June  22. — A  meeting  was  called  at  Rectortown. 
Two  hundred  men  were  present.  General  orders  were  read, 
in  which  bounds  were  prescribed,  within  the  limits  of  which 
the  men  were  to  remain  when  not  on  duty.  They  were  as 
follows  :  From  Snickersville,  along  the  Blue  Ridge  Moun 
tains  to  Linden  ;  thence  to  Salem  (now  called  Marshall) ;  to 
The  Plains ;  thence  along  the  Bull  Run  Mountains  to  Aldie, 
and  from  thence  along  the  turnpike  to  the  place  of  begin 
ning,  Snickersville.  The  section  thus  mapped  out  was 
known  as  "  Mosby's  Confederacy." 

No  member  was  to  leave  these  bounds  without  permission. 
Roll  was  to  be  called  at  each  meeting,  and  any  man  absent 
from  two  successive  meetings,  without  satisfactory  reason, 
was  to  be  sent  back  to  regular  service. 

After  all  business  had  been  attended  to,  the  command 
moved  on  to  The  Plains  and  through  Thoroughfare  Gap, 
near  which  we  halted  for  the  night. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS.  1/7 

The  next  morning  (23d)  we  saddled  up,  and  after  grazing 
our  horses  for  awhile,  started  about  sunrise  in  the  direction 
of  Fairfax.  The  roads  were  dusty  and  the  heat  was  intense. 
We  passed  over  the  old  battlefield  of  Bull  Run,  marked  on 
every  side  by  soldiers'  graves ;  the  bodies  had  been  but 
slightly  covered,  and  here  and  there  portions  of  the  skele 
tons  were  exposed  —  some  with  feet  or  arms  sticking  out. 
One  was  nearly  bare  of  earth,  his  belt  and  cartridge-box  still 
on,  but  the  clothes  rotted  ;  on  our  shaking  his  belt  the  bones 
rattled.  Old  rusty  guns  and  bayonets,  canteens,  cartridge 
and  cap  boxes,  rotten  from  exposure,  were  lying  around. 
We  halted  on  the  field  to  rest  our  horses,  and  then,  passing 
by  Manassas  Junction,  halted  about  midnight  near  Union 
Mills. 

On  the  morning  of  the  24th,  as  we  neared  Centreville,  one 
of  our  scouts,  Walter  Whaley,  brought  us  information  that 
a  party  of  50  or  60  cavalry,  a  portion  of  the  Sixteenth  New 
York  Regiment,  was  at  that  place.  Company  A  was  sent 
forward  to  attack  them,  but  when  we  arrived  at  Centreville 
they  had  left.  Learning  that  they  had  gone  out  on  the  road 
leading  to  Chantilly,  we  pushed  forward  with  all  speed  and 
came  out  on  the  Little  River  turnpike  below  Chantilly,  and 
advanced  to  that  place  to  await  their  arrival,  while  scouts 
were  sent  out  to  give  notice  of  their  approach.  Soon  a  cou 
rier  came  in  and  said  the  whole  party  had  been  captured. 

After  the  departure  of  Company  A,  Companies  B,  C  and 
D  were  proceeding  slowly  along,  when  some  of  the  men, 
going  to  a  tree  by  the  roadside  to  gather  some  cherries,  dis 
covered  the  Federal  cavalry  feeding  their  horses  in  a  field 
near  by.  A  portion  of  the  command  was  detached,  and 
charged  in  among  them,  killing  and  wounding  6  and  captur 
ing  31  prisoners  and  38  horses.  Mosby  sustained  no  loss 
whatever.4  (See  Mosby 's  Report,  Appendix,  X.) 


4  Colonel  Lowell's  (Federal)  Report. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE.  \ 

Near  Fall's  Church,   Va. ,  June  25,  1864,  11  a.  m.  f 

LOWELL  to  TAYLOR  :  "  Major  Forbes  has  just  returned  from  Centreville,  and 
I  am  able  to  send  a  clearer  account  of  Lieutenant  Tuck's  affair.  It  seems  that 
Mosby  came  down  on  Thursday  evening  to  near  Union  Mills  with  about  200 


1/8  MOSBV'S    RANGERS. 

Tuesday,  June  28. — Command  met  at  Upperville  in  the 
evening.  Company  A  being  ordered  off,  crossed  the  Shenan- 
doah  river  at  Shepherd's  Mill,  and  marched  to  within  about 
two  miles  of  Charlestown,  where  we  halted  for  the  night. 
Companies  B,  C  and  D,  with  a  howitzer,  crossed  during  the 
night,  and  in  the  morning  were  in  the  neighborhood  but  did 
not  join  Company  A,  which  was  left  at  Charlestown  to  watch 
the  road  leading  from  Harper's  Ferry,  while  the  other  com 
panies  moved  on  to  Duffield  Depot  on  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railroad. 

Company  A,  passing  through  Charlestown,  halted  a  short 
distance  from  town  on  the  Harper's  Ferry  road.  While 
there  the  ladies  brought  and  sent  out  bread,  meat,  pies  and 
an  abundance  of  milk,  and  for  a  time  we  had  quite  a  picnic. 
William  Walston  and  the  writer  were  placed  on  picket  on  a 
hill  near  by,  but  while  our  eyes  were  watching  the  road,  our 

men  and  an  iron  gun  drawn  by  6  horses.  Thursday  p.  m.  a  small  squad  of 
Kincheloe's  men  took  two  of  Colonel  Lazelle's  patrol,  as  reported  last  night. 
When  Mosby,  with  a  few  men,  came  down  to  spy  out  the  land,  he  learned  this, 
and  concluded  that  there  would  be  too  much  stir  for  him  to  carry  out  his  plan, 
whatever  it  was.  He  returned,  therefore,  to  Union  Mills  Friday  morning  and 
marched  his  column  back  through  Centreville  about  10:30  a.  m.  Half  an  hour 
previously  Lieutenant  Tuck,  with  his  40  men,  had  passed  through  Centreville 
going  toward  Little  River  Pike,  and  had  stopped  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
north  in  a  field  of  newly  cut  hay  to  feed.  Citizens  report  that  the  horses  were 
unbitted,  some  of  the  men  in  cherry  trees  on  the  other  side  af  the  road,  some 
asleep.  There  was  one  man  on  picket  sitting  on  the  fence,  but  in  a  very  poorly 
chosen  position.  Mosby,  learning  about  Mr.  Tuck  in  Centreville,  sent  part  of 
his  men  rapidly  on,  who  dashed  into  the  field,  shooting  the  man  on  post  and 
making  such  a  panic  that  no  resistance  was  attempted.  It  is  said  that  a  couple 
of  men  who  had  gone  to  a  neighboring  house  for  breakfast  and  saw  Mosby's 
Men  going  past  did  the  only  firing  that  was  done  on  our  part.  Three  wounded 
men  (2  dangerously)  were  brought  in  by  Major  Forbes,  and  5  men  are  reported 
to  have  returned  to  camp  on  foot.  All  the  horses  and  the  rest  of  the  men  and 
arms  are  believed  to  have  been  captured.  Mosby  lost  no  time,  but  went  right 
across  to  the  Little  River  Pike  and  up  toward  Aldie.  He  was  on  the  pike  near 
the  double  toll-gate  at  noon. 

"  The  strength  of  Mosby's  column  was  estimated  by  Dr.  Hart  and  Mr.  Mel- 
len  (good  Union  men),  both  of  whom  saw  it  pass,  and  another  citizen  says  Lieu 
tenant  Frank  Fox  told  him  as  he  passed  they  had  about  200. 

"  Major  Nicholson  with  his  150  men  returned  with  Major  Forbes  and  reached 
Centreville  yesterday  p.  m.  Got  the  impression  that  Mosby  was  from  400  to  goo 
strong  and  remained  there,  sending  party  to  camp  to  report  what  he  had 
learned." 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


179 


hearts  and  our  thoughts  were  constantly  turning  back  to 
the  fair  ladies  of  Charlestown  and  the  rich  fare  our  more 
fortunate  comrades  were  enjoying.  A  cloud  of  dust  rising 
on  the  road  leading  to  Harper's  Ferry  warned  us  that  the 
enemy  was  approaching,  and  soon  a  dark  blue  line  fringed 
the  edge  of  the  woods. 

"  They  are  coming,  Walston,"  said  I. 

"  Yes,"  said  Walston ;  "  you  go  in  and  tell  Nelson  and  I 
will  stay  here  and  watch  them." 

I  galloped  in  and  finding  Lieutenant  Nelson,  reported  to 
him. 

"  You  get  the  men  in  line, 
while  I  go  out  and  see  what 
force  there  is,"  said  Nelson. 

He  rode  off,  but  soon  came 
back,  saying :  "  Boys,  I  can 
whip  them  if  you  will  only 
stand  by  me." 

"  How  many  are  there  ? " 
asked  one  of  the  men. 

"  There  are  about  60,  but  we 
can  whip  them,  I  know.  Two 
of  you  men  ride  out  there  and 
draw  them  up  the  pike." 

We  then  formed  behind  a 
little  hill,  while  the  two  men 
went  out,  and  soon  we  heard 
the  yells  and  shouts  of  the 
Federals  as  they  came  dashing  up  the  pike.  Nelson  ordered 
us  to  draw  our  pistols  and  move  off  at  a  walk.  We  did  so, 
riding  through  a  narrow  strip  of  woods  in  a  line  parallel 
with  the  road  and  towards  the  advancing  enemy.  We 
moved  off  by  twos,  instead  of  fours  as  we  usually  charged, 
so  that  by  lengthening  out  our  line  we  made  our  force  ap 
pear  as  large  as  possible.  As  we  commenced  moving,  the 
Federal  column  appeared,  rushing  over  the  hill,  and  seeing 
us  then  for  the  first  time,  they  reined  up  and  gazed  at  us  in 
amazement.  No  doubt  the  small  force  advancing  against 
them  aroused  their  suspicions.  A  number  of  our  men  had 


JAMES  J.  WILLIAMSON,  CO.  A, 
From  a  Photograph  taken  in  1865. 


i8o 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


gone  into  Charlestown,  and  others  were  scattered  among 
the  houses  in  the  neighborhood,  so  that  we  had  only  23  men 
then  with  us.  For  only  a  few  seconds  the  enemy  hesitated 
and  at  the  command  raised  their  carbines  and  fired  a  volley, 
doing  no  other  damage  than  to  shower  a  few  leaves  on  our 
heads  from  the  trees  beside  us.  Being  on  the  hill  and  we 
below  them,  when  they  hastily  raised  their  pieces  the  shots 
naturally  went  over  our  heads. 

"  Now,  boys,"  said  Nelson  ;  "  charge  them  !  "  and  before 
they  could  drop  their  carbines  and  draw  pistols,  we  dashed 

with    a    yell    in   amongst 

^^^^       them,  firing  in  their  faces. 

They  turned  their  horses, 

^&  jfgb,  and     as    those     in     front 

pressed  on  the  ones  behind 
them,  the  whole  body  be 
came  panic  stricken  and 
retreated  in  the  utmost 
disorder.  Back  over  the 
hill  they  went,  and  when 
we  reached  the  top  we  saw 
them  descending  the  other 
side,  a  struggling  mass  of 
men  and  horses.  Those 
behind  the  hill  seeing  the 
head  of  our  column  driving 
back  their  comrades,  did 
not  wait  to  ascertain  our 
force,  but  joined  in  the 
headlong  flight.  We 
dashed  on  at  their  heels, 
firing  into  them,  and  fol 
lowed  them  closely  to 
Halltown.  The  pike  was 

smooth  and  clear— a  good  road  for  a  chase — and  we  gave 
them  no  time  to  rally. 

Nelson  did  not  have  a  man  injured,  while  the  Federals  lost 
3  killed,  a  number  wounded,  25  prisoners  and  28  horses. 
One  Federal  soldier  who  was  wounded  fell  from  his  horse. 


J.  W.  HAMMOND,  CO.  B, 
(Light  Coat), 

and 
JOHN  B.  PROUT,  CO.  A, 

(Dark  Coat), 
From  a  Photograph  taken  in  March,  1863. 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS.  l8l 

His  foot  caught  in  the  stirrup  and  as  he  fell  he  grasped 
at  the  stirrup  leather  to  release  his  foot,  but  fell  back. 
The  horse  continued  galloping  on,  and  at  every  jump  the 
soldier's  head  would  bounce  upon  the  road  and  strike 
against  the  horse,  which  would  then  kick  him  with  its 
heels.  I  was  not  close  enough  to  catch  him,  but  shouted 
to  two  Federal  soldiers  who  had  halted  by  the  road 
side  and  were  awaiting  my  approach,  with  their  hands 
thrown  up  : 

"  Catch  that  horse  !  Don't  you  see  it  is  killing  one  of  your 
men  ?  " 

"  We  surrender  !  We  surrender  !  "  was  their  only 
reply. 

"  Throw  down  your  arms  and  catch  that  horse  !  "  I  yelled  ; 
but  before  they  could  comprehend  what  to  do,  the  horse  was 
beyond  their  reach.  It  was  afterwards  secured,  but  not  until 
the  man  was  dead.  In  the  excitement  of  a  fight  we  were  ac 
customed  to  shoot  and  kill  without  giving  time  to  reflection, 
but  in  this  case,  to  see  a  fellow  creature  dragged  to  his  death 
in  what  seemed  to  me  an  unnatural  manner,  made  me  forget 
for  the  moment  that  he  was  an  enemy,  and  my  only  thought 
was  to  save  him. 

After  we  had  given  up  the  pursuit  and  returned  to 
Charlestown  with  prisoners  and  captured  horses,  and  were 
drawn  up  in  line,  one  of  the  prisoners,  looking  at  our  small 
force,  with  evident  surprise,  said  : 

"  Why,  we  had  men  enough  to  have  whipped  you 
fellows !  " 

A  courier  now  came  up  and  announced  that  Mosby  had 
captured  Duffield  Depot  with  its  stores  and  the  force  there 
stationed,  and  in  a  short  time  the  companies  came  in  sight, 
having  hurried  on  to  join  us,  anticipating  an  attack  on  our 
little  band  from  Harper's  Ferry. 

Mosby  waved  his  hat  and  slapping  Nelson  on  the  shoulder, 
said : 

"  Good,  Joe  !     Good  for  old  Company  A  !  " 

It  was  Mosby 's  intention  to  capture  a  train  on  the  Balti 
more  and  Ohio  Railroad  at  Duffield  Depot,  but  the  train  was 


i82  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

behind  time,  and  after  waiting  some  time,  Mosby  concluded  it 
had  passed,  so  he  determined  to  capture  the  garrison  and  de 
stroy  the  stores. 

Sending  out  parties  to  cut  the  telegraph  wires,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  garrison  from  communicating  with  the  sur 
rounding  forces,  he  posted  his  men,  placed  his  gun  in  posi 
tion  and  then  sent  Captain  Richards  with  a  flag  of  truce  to 
demand  the  surrender  of  the  post.  The  force,  consisting  of 
45  infantry,  surrendered  without  firing  a  shot.  Our  men 
took  what  they  wished  from  the  captured  stores  and  then 
set  fire  to  the  camp  and  store-houses.  (See  Mosby 's  Report, 
Appendix,  X.) 

After  our  forces  had  united,  quite  a  large  body  of  troops 
was  sent  out  from  Harper's  Ferry.     They  followed  us  for 
some  distance,  and  we  twice  formed  in  line  of  battle  expect 
ing  an  attack,  but  each  time  they  de 
clined  an  engagement.     Sending  the 
'!%  prisoners   and    horses    forward  with 

the  other  companies,  Company  A  fol- 
K    lowing  as  a  rear  guard,  we  returned 
\    unmolested. 

Mosby,  who  with  a  few  men  re 
mained  behind  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Charlestown,  saw  a  party  of  / 
Federal  cavalry  approaching.  They 
charged  Mosby,  who  returned  the 
compliment,  severely  wounding  2  of 
JAMES  N.  MILLER,  co.  D.  them  and  capturing  4,  together  with 

From  a  Photograph.  ..      ,  ^,  T^      i  i  -11 

6    horses.      1  he    rederals    said   they 

had  been  sent  out  on  picket,  but  they  were  no  doubt  sent 
to  watch  our  movements. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  3Oth  we  returned  home  by 
way  of  Paris.  The  men  had  brought  a  large  quantity  of  dry 
goods,  coffee,  etc.,  from  the  captured  stores  at  Duffield 
Depot,  and  these  looked  charming  to  the  eyes  of  the  poor 
people  of  the  "  Confederacy,"  who  had  not  seen  the  inside 
of  a  store  for  two  or  three  years.  The  long  line  of  prisoners 
and  captured  horses  and  equipments,  and  the  large  United 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  183 

States  flag-  from  the  camp  at  Duffield  Depot  trailing  at  the 
gun,  all  united  to  form  a  picturesque  scene.5 

5   Retort  of  Brig  .-Gen.  Max  Weber,   U,  .V.  A.,    Commanding  at  Harper  s  Ferry. 

HEADQUARTERS,  \ 

Harper's  Ferry,   IV.    Va.,  June  30,  1864.       f 

WEBER  to  MEYSENBURG  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  morning  of 
the  2gth  instant  I  received  reliable  information  to  the  effect  that  Mosby  with  a 
considerable  force  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Charlestown,  W.  Va.,  and  reported  the 
fact  by  telegraph  to  division  headquarters  at  10.30  a.  m.  Between  i  and  2 
p.  m.  the  wires  between  this  post  and  Martinsburg  were  cut  and  communica 
tion  ceased.  About  3  o'clock  an  attack  was  made  upon  my  picket-line  toward 
Charlestown,  and  during  the  afternoon  there  was  heavy  skirmishing  along  my 
whole  line  of  pickets  on  that  front.  Later  in  the  day  a  report  was  received  from 
the  commandant  of  the  forces  at  Duffield  Station  that  he  was  attacked  by  su 
perior  numbers  of  the  enemy  at  that  point  and  calling  for  reinforcements.  I  at 
once  sent  50  cavalry  toward  Duffield's  to  feel  the  enemy  and  watch  their  move 
ments,  and  300  infantry  were  ordered  to  that  point.  Subsequently  information 
was  received  that  the  enemy  had  routed  our  men  ;  had  plundered  and  burned 
the  camp,  stores  and  storehouses  at  Duffield's,  had  retired  without  doing  further 
damage,  and  moved  in  the  direction  of  Key's  Ford,  intending  to  cross  there. 
I  sent  the  300  infantry  at  once  to  Key's  Ford,  where  they  remained  until  7  this 
a.  m.,  when  they  returned  without  seeing  any  thing  of  the  enemy.  Our  loss,  as 
nearly  as  can  be  now  ascertained,  is  38  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The 
force  of  the  enemy  was  not  far  from  400  men,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  From 
all  the  reports  received  it  appears  that  the  force  at  Duffield's  had  not  even  a 
picket  out,  were  surprised,  and  consequently  retired  with  hardly  a  show  of  re 
sistance.  The  matter  will  be  carefully  investigated.  Allow  me  once  more  to 
express  the  opinion  that  a  permanent  force  of  good  cavalry  are  necessary  at  this 
point,  as  the  enemy  are  constantly  crossing  and  recrossing  near  here,  and  from 
Harper's  Ferry  cavalry  can  act  with  promptness  and  effect." 


CHAPTER    XII. 

July,  1864— Fourth  of  July  at  Point  of  Rocks— Crossing  the  Potomac  Under  Fire — Capture  Camp- 
Cut  Off  Telegraph  and  Railroad  Communication  with  Washington — Along  the  Potomac 
not  "All  Quiet"  —  Federal  Cavalry  Cut  Off  Mosby's  Retreat  and  have  Him  just  where 
they  Want  Him,  but  when  they  met,  wished  Him  in  some  other  place — Fight  at  Mount 
Zion— Defeat  and  Capture  of  Major  Forbes — Mosby  in  Maryland — Burning  Block 
Houses,  Etc. 

The  Fourth  of  July,  1864,  was  celebrated  by  our  com 
mand  at  the  Point  of  Rocks  on  the  Potomac.  General 
Early  having  driven  General  Hunter  out  of  the  Valley,  was 
now  preparing  to  invade  Maryland  and  threaten  Washing 
ton,  and  Mosby  proceeded  to  operate  on  the  line  of  com 
munication  between  the  capital  and  Harper's  Ferry. 

The  command  met  at  Upperville  on  Sunday,  July  3d  ; 
about  250  men  present.  We  started  at  noon  with  one  12- 
pounder  Napoleon  gun,  and  the  day  being  very  warm, 
marched  leisurely  along  by  way  of  Bloomfield,  camping  at 
night  near  Wheatland. 

Continuing  our  march  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  we 
reached  the  Potomac,  opposite  and  in  view  of  Berlin.  We 
then  moved  along  the  river  to  a  ford  about  a  mile  from 
Point  of  Rocks.  At  this  place  was  a  force  consisting  of  two 
companies  of  cavalry,  the  Loudoun  Rangers,  commanded  by 
Captain  Keyes,  and  two  companies  of  infantry.  As  we  ap 
proached  the  ford,  the  sharpshooters  who  were  concealed  in 
the  bushes  along  the  shore,  opened  fire,  and  the  cavalry 
drew  up  in  line  near  the  town.  Mosby  ordered  a  few  men 
with  long-range  guns  to  the  river  bank,  and  for  some  time  a 
brisk  fire  was  kept  up,  with  but  little  damage  to  either  side- 
certainly  none  to  us.  Lieutenant  Chapman  now  placed  his 
Napoleon  in  position  on  a  hill  opposite  the  town,  supported 
by  Company  C,  and  sent  a  shell  across  the  river  into  the 
bushes.  A  second  shot  had  the  effect  of  quieting  them  a 
little. 

Our  sharpshooters  advanced  to  a  little  island  in  the  mid 
dle  of  the  river,  from  which  they  had  dislodged  the  enemy, 


MOSBYS    RANGERS. 


I85 


and  we  were  ordered  to  cross.  Captain  Richards,  with 
Company  A,  then  dashed  into  the  river,  followed  by  Com 
panies  B  and  D,  carbineers  wading  on  our  flanks,  the  Feder 
als  firing  on  us  from  the  opposite  shore.  Another  shell 
went  screaming  overhead,  and  away  went  the  Federals 
scampering  along  the  tow-path. 

Once  across  the  river  we  pushed  ahead  on  the  tow-path, 
but  when  opposite  the  Point  of  Rocks  were  forced  to  come 
to  a  halt.  The  Federals,  after  crossing  the  bridge  over  the 
canal,  had  torn  up  the  flooring  so  that  it  was  impossible  to 
cross.  On  a  hill  near  the 

camp  was  a  small  earthwork  -j 

which  commanded  the 
bridge,  and  from  this  shelter 
the  enemy  kept  up  a  brisk 
fire.  Richards  immediately 
set  men  at  work  tearing 
boards  from  an  old  building 
near  by,  with  which  to  repair 
the  bridge.  In  the  meantime 
Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher  ran 
across  on  the  bridge  tim 
bers,  hauled  down  the  flag 
from  the  flag-staff  in  the  camp 
and  brought  it  over  in  tri 
umph,  amid  a  shower  of 
balls.  Men  were  then  dis-  LIEUT.  HARRY.  HATCHER,  co.  A. 

mounted     and,     Under    Capt.  From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 

A.  E.  Richards,  crossed  the 

bridge  in  like  manner  and  drove  the  Federals  from  their 

entrenchments. 

By  this  time  planks  had  been  laid  and  the  command 
swept  over  to  the  town  and  set  fire  to  the  camp  and  to  a 
canal-boat.  The  Federal  forces  fled — the  cavalry  in  the  di 
rection  of  Frederick  and  the  infantry  concealing  themselves 
in  the  mountains,  so  that  but  few  were  captured. 

We  cut  down  telegraph  poles  and  cut  the  wires,  breaking 
the  communication  between  Harper's  Ferry  and  Washing 
ton.  A  quantity  of  goods  was  taken  from  the  stores  in  the 


1 86 


MUSHY  S    RA.MiKKS. 


town,  but  a  great  portion  of  them  was  returned   or  sold  for 

the  benefit  of  the  owner.     Although  this  was  a  hazardous 

enterprise,  we  sustained  no  injury. 

While  we  were  in  possession  of  the  town  a  train  of  cars 

came  along  the  railroad,  but  the  gun  was  brought  into  play 

and  the  train  sent  back. 

The  telegraph  operator  ran  off  and  hid  in  the  mountains, 

where  he  remained  until  we  had  all  left.  He  afterwards  re 
turned  and  sent  off  several  des 
patches.  Finding  himself  unable 
to  give  all  the  details  in  a  teleg 
ram,  he  wound  up  by  saying  "  the 
devil  was  to  pay  generally."  1 

On  the  5th  we  remained  along 
the  river  the  greater  part  of  the 
day,  making  demonstrations  as  if 
to  cross,  and  sharp-shooters  were 
kept  busy  on  the  river  banks.  The 
Federal  forces  on  the  Maryland 
side  meanwhile  had  been  rein 
forced  by  230  men  of  the  Eighth 
Regiment  Illinois  Cavalry,  under 
Lieut. -Col.  Clendenin. 

Sergt.  Charles  L.  Hall,  with  12 
men,  crossed  over  a  short  distance 
below,  and  near  Monocacy  cap 
tured  and  brought  off  a  few 
prisoners. 
In  the  evening  we  moved  off  in  the  direction  of  Leesburg, 

within  a  few  miles  of  which  place  the  command  halted,  and 

after  feeding  our  horses,  unsaddled  and  prepared  to  pass  the 


SERGT.  CHARLES    LANDON 
HALL,  CO.  C. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the 
War. 


1  Monocacy,  July  5,  1864. 

TYLER  to  LAWRENCE  :  "  The  Rebel  cavalry  left  Point  of  Rocks  last  even 
ing  after  robbing  the  people  and  stores  of  money  and  such  goods  as  they 
wanted  to  carry  into  Virginia.  They  were  Mosby's  men  and  were  not  over  120 
strong.  Our  scouts  saw  them  leaving  and  could  count  them.  We  can  get 
nothing  from  Harper's  Ferry.  The  Washington  troops  I  sent  to  Monrovia  to 
be  armed  and  supplied  with  ammunition  there,  were  in  no  condition  for  service 
on  their  arrival  here." 


MOSBV'S    RANGERS.  iS/ 

night.  A  very  short  time,  however,  had  elapsed  when  Lieu 
tenant  Hatcher,  John  Thomas  and  C.  Albert  Fox,  who  had 
gone  to  Leesburg,  returned  with  the  intelligence  that  a  large 
force  of  Federal  cavalry  was  at  that  place ;  that  they  had 
told  some  of  the  citizens  that  Mosby  was  in  Maryland  and 
they  had  cut  off  his  retreat — that  they  had  him  just  where 
they  wanted  him. 

Orders  were  given  to  saddle  up,  and  we  moved  off,  pass 
ing  around  Leesburg  and  halting  near  Waterford.  Carlisle 
and  Puryear  were  sent  as  scouts  to  Leesburg.  On  their  re 
turn  they  reported  the  force  there  to  be  portions  of  the 
Second  Massachusetts  and  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry, 
under  Major  Forbes — "  Colonel  Lowell's  fighting  Major,"  as 
he  was  called — 250  in  number.  We  then  had  only  about  175 
men,  as  many  had  left  for  home  during  the  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  we  marched  to  Leesburg. 
Forbes  had  left,  going  towards  Oatland.  Mosby  then 
pressed  on,  thinking  to  cut  them  off  "at  Ball's  Mill,  on 
Goose  Creek,  but  on  reaching  the  ford,  found  that  they  had 
already  crossed  and  gone  in  the  direction  of  Mount  Zion 
on  the  Aldie  turnpike.  Mosby  came  out  on  the  pike  near 
the  toll-gate  below  Mount  Zion.  The  Federals  had  been 
feeding  their  horses  opposite  Skinner's  house  below  Mount 
Zion,  but  were  preparing  to  move  on.  Our  carbineers, 
under  Lieutenant  Hatcher,  advanced  and  opened  fire  on 
them  from  a  body  of  woods,  as  they  came  out  on  the  pike. 
The  gun  was  then  brought  up  and  a  shell  fired,  which  did 
no  other  damage  than  to  give  them  a  fright.  They  formed 
in  a  field  near  the  house  and  we  charged  them  in  front  and 
on  their  flank.  Unable  to  stand  the  shock,  they  broke  and 
ran  some  distance,  but  rallied  and  formed  again  behind  a 
fence.  They  rallied  and  attempted  to  form  three  times,  but 
Mosby  pressed  on  and  drove  them  in  disorder  each  time. 
Some  of  our  men  followed  the  fugitives  to  Sudley,  and  two 
were  killed  near  that  place. 

Major  Forbes,  who  was  in  command,  fought  gallantly,  and 
was  always  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  encouraging  and 
endeavoring  to  rally  his  men.  Thomas  W.  T.  Richards, 
brother  of  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards,  at  last  singled  him  out,  and 


1 88 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


a  fierce  hand-to-hand  struggle  took  place  between  them. 
Forbes  made  a  savage  cut  with  his  sabre  at  Richards,  inflict 
ing  a  severe  wound  on  his  shoulder,  but  Richards  finally 
forced  him  to  surrender.  The  Federals  were  all  well  armed 
and  fought  desperately. 

Mosby  had  7  men  wounded :  Henry  Smallwood,  mor 
tally  ;  William  Davis,  Thomas  Lake,  Hugh  T.  Waters, 
Frank  M.  Woolf,  Thomas  W.  T.  Richards  and  Robert  S. 
Walker. 

Forbes  lost  17  killed,  about  40  wounded — 12  or  15  mor 
tally,  and  57  prisoners.2  Over  100  horses  were  captured. 
A  number  of  horses  were  wounded,  and  12  were  left  dead 

on  the  field,  which  presented  a 
sad  sight.  The  ground  was 
strewn  with  guns,  pistols,  blank 
ets  and  equipments  of  all  kinds ; 
dead  and  wounded  were  lying 
around ;  horses,  wounded  and 
maddened  with  pain  and  fright, 
dashed  wildly  over  the  battle 
ground,  while  others  lay  trem 
bling,  or  rearing  and  falling, 
unable  to  stand.  Skinner's 
house  was  used  as  a  hospital, 
and  Doctors  Dunn  and  Sowers 
were  busily  engaged  in  attend 
ing  to  the  wounded.  We  re 
mained  until  near  midnight, 
when  we  moved  off  to  Middle- 
burg. 

Colonel  Lowell  came  up  to  Mount  Zion  the  day  after  the 
fight  with  a  force  and  buried  the  dead  Federals  and  carried 
off  the  wounded.  Four  dead  soldiers,  however,  were  found 


FRANK   M.  WOOLF,    CO.   A. 
Shot   through   the   hand   Dec.  22,  1863 
wounded   in   the  knee,  July   6,    1864 
shot  though  the  neck,  Sept.  4,  1864. 


2  The  Massachusetts  Official  Reports  give  the  following  names  of  the  killed 
in  this  fight  belonging  to  the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry:  Corporal  Sam.  C. 
Hanscom,  San  Francisco  ;  Corporal  James  McDonald,  San  Francisco  ;  Privates 
Owen  Fox,  Braintree,  Mass.;  John  Johnson,  Spencer;  Patrick  Riordan,  Scitu- 
ate;  Chas.  W.  Rollins,  Boston;  Cornelius  Tobin,  Marlborough,  and  Wm.  F. 
Dumasey,  Warwick. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


189 


several  days  after  the  fight  and  were  buried  by  the  citizens.3 
July  9. — Command  met  at  Upperville,  and  proceeding- 
down  Loudoun,  pressed  a  quantity  of  corn,  which  was  sent 
back  for  the  use  of  the  battalion.  On  the  i  ith  we  marched 
to  the  Potomac  and  crossed  at  Conrad's  Ferry  into  Mary 
land.  We  moved  on  to  Poolesville,  burning  some  block 
houses  on  our  way.  On  the  I2th  we  went  to  Seneca  Mills, 

3    Report   of   Col.    Charles    R.    Lowell,  Jr.,    Second  Mass.  Cavalry,   Commanding 

Brigade. 

Near  Falls  Church,  V a.,  July  8,  1864. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  Major  Forbes'  scout  as  complete  as  is 
yet  possible.  I  have  not  talked  with  Lieutenant  Kuhls  or  Captain  Stone,  who  is 
badly  wounded,  but  send  what  I  learned  on  the  ground. 

Major  Forbes  left  here  with  150  men  (100  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  50 
Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry)  Monday,  p.  m.  Tuesday,  a.  m.,  went  through 
Aldie,  and  found  all  quiet  toward  the 
Gaps.  Tuesday,  p.  m.,  went  by  Ball's 
Mill  to  Leesburg.  Heard  of  Mosby's 
raid  at  Point  of  Rocks,  and  learned  that 
he  had  sent  four  or  five  wagons  of  plun 
der  through  Leesburg,  under  a  guard  of 
about  60  men,  the  afternoon  before. 
Heard  nothing  of  any  other  force  this 
side  of  the  ridge.  He  returned  that 
night  to  the  south  of  Goose  Creek,  as  di 
rected,  and,  on  Wednesday,  a.  m.,  went 
again  by  Ball's  Mill  to  Leesburg.  Still 
heard  nothing  of  Mosby  or  any  force. 
From  what  I  learn  from  citizens,  I  think 
Mosby  passed  between  Leesburg  and 
the  Potomac  some  time  on  Tuesday, 
crossed  Goose  Creek,  and  moved  west 
ward  toward  Aldie  on  Wednesday ; 
learned  of  Major  Forbes'  second  visit 
to  Leesburg,  and  laid  in  ambush  for  him 
at  Ball's  Mill.  Major  Forbes  returned 
from  Leesburg  by  Centre's  Mill  (4  miles 
above),  came  down  by  Aldie,  and  halted 
for  two  or  three  hours  about  one  and  a 
half  miles  east,  on  the  Little  River  Pike  ; 
when  Mosby  learned  this  he  moved 

south  and  struck  the  pike  about  one  and  a  quarter  miles  east  of  the  Major's 
position,  being  hidden  till  he  had  reached  about  half  a  mile  west  on  the  pike. 
Major  Forbes  was  duly  notified  by  his  advance  guard,  mounted  his  men,  and 
moved  them  from  the  north  to  the  south  of  the  pike.  As  the  rear  was  crossing, 


LIEUT.-COL.  DAVID  R.  CLENDENIN, 

Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry. 


190 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


thence  to  Muddy  Branch,  where  we  found  a  deserted  camp 
of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  from  which  the  forces  had  hur 
riedly  departed,  leaving  tents  standing,  with  bales  of  hay, 
bags  of  oats,  saddles,  bridles,  and  every  description  of  camp 
equipage  lying  around.  These  we  burned,  together  with 


F 


Mosby  fired  one  shell  from  his  12-pounder  (the  only  time  it  was  fired), 
which  burst  entirely  too  high.  As  Major  Forbes  formed  on  the  south,  his 
advance  guard,  which  had  dismounted  and  fired  as  Mosby  came  up,  fell  back, 
still  keeping  a  little  north  of  the  pike,  and  took  an  excellent  position  some 
what  on  the  flank.  Up  to  this  time,  I  think,  all  the  dispositions  were  admir 
able.  Major  Forbes'  two  squadrons 
were  formed,  his  third  squadron  and 
rear  guard  not  formed  but  nearly  so, 
and  no  confusion.  Mosby's  men,  who 
were  not  in  any  order,  but  were  down 
the  road  in  a  "  nick,"  had  just  reached 
the  fence  corner  some  225  yards  off,  and 
a  few  had  dismounted,  under  a  fire 
from  the  advanced  guard,  to  take  down 
the  fence.  When  two  panels  of  fence 
were  down  the  men  trotted  through  for 
about  75  yards,  and  came  gradually  down 
to  a  walk,  and  almost  halted.  Major 
Forbes'  first  platoon  was  ordered  to  fire 
with  carbines.  Here  was  the  first  mis 
take.  It  created  confusion  among  the 
horses,  and  the  squadron  in  the  rear 
added  to  it  by  firing  a  few  pistol  shots. 
Had  the  order  been  given  to  draw  sabres 
and  charge,  the  rebels  would  never 
have  got  their  gun  off,  but  I  think  Major 
Forbes,  seeing  how  uneasy  his  horses 

were  at  the  firing,  must  have  intended  to  dismount  some  of  his  men.  At  any 
rate,  he  attempted  to  move  the  first  squadron  by  the  right  flank.  The  rebels 
saw  their  chance,  gave  a  yell,  and  our  men,  in  the  confusion  of  the  moment, 
broke.  The  two  rear  squadrons  went  off  in  confusion.  Attempts  were  made, 
with  some  success,  to  rally  parts  of  the  first  squadron  in  the  next  field,  and 
again  near  Little  River  Church,  one  mile  off. 

Captain  Stone  was  wounded  here,  and  I  believe  all  the  non-commissioned 
officers  of  A  and  L  Companies  present  wounded  or  killed.  There  was  little 
gained.  I  have  only  to  report  a  perfect  rout  and  a  chase  for  five  to  seven 
miles.  We  lost  Major  Forbes,  Lientenant  Amory,  and  Mr.  Humphreys  (Chap 
lain),  from  Second  Massachusetts,  and  Lieutenant  Burns,  Thirteenth  New  York 
Cavalry,  prisoners,  all  unhurt.  Captain  Stone,  Second  Massachusetts,  and 
Lieutenant  Schuyler,  Thirteenth  New  York,  very  badly  wounded.  Lieutenant 
Kuhls  alone  came  safely  to  camp.  Of  men,  we  lost,  killed  outright :  7,  Second 


CAPT.  SAMUEL  C.  MEANS, 

Independent  Loudoun  (Virginia)  Rangers. 

(Federal.) 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS.  19! 

a  large  block-house  and  frame  building  connected  with  the 
camp.  We  also  captured  30  head  of  fine  cattle  left  behind 
by  the  enemy,  and  then  recrossed  the  river,  camping  at 
night  near  Dranesville.  (See  Mosby's  Report,  Appendix, 

IX-) 

Massachusetts  ;  5,  Thirteenth  New  York.  Wounded,  we  brought  in  27  and 
left  10  too  bad  to  move.  I  fear  of  the  wounded  at  least  12  will  die.  About  40 
others  have  come  to  camp  half  mounted,  and  Mosby  was  reported  to  have  44 
prisoners  ;  quite  a  number,  you  will  see  still  unaccounted  for.  Some  of  them 
are  probably  wounded,  and  some  still  on  their  way  to  camp,  and  others  will  be 
made  prisoners. 

Mosby  went  up  toward  Upperville  with  his  prisoners  and  his  dead  and 
wounded  about  midnight  Wednesday.  I  reached  the  ground  about  11.30  a.  m. 
and  remained  in  plain  sight  for  about  three  hours  ;  then  searched  through  all  the 
woods  and  moved  to  Centreville,  where  I  again  waited  an  hour  in  hopes  some 
stragglers  would  join  us.  We  only  picked  up  half  a  dozen,  however. 

The  soldiers  and  the  citizens  all  speak  in  high  terms  of  the  gallantry  of  the 
officers  ;  Major  Forbes  especially  remained  in  the  first  field  till  every  man 
had  left  it,  emptied  his  revolver,  and,  in  the  second  field,  where  Company  A 
tried  to  stand,  he  disabled  one  man  with  his  sabre,  and  lunged  through  Col 
onel  Mosby's  coat.  His  horse  was  then  killed  and  fell  on  his  leg,  pinning  him 
till  he  was  compelled  to  surrender. 

More  than  100  horses  were  taken.  Accoutrements,  arms,  etc.,  will  also  be 
missing.  I  cannot  yet  give  the  precise  number. 

Mosby's  force  is  variously  estimated  at  from  175  to  250,  Mrs.  Davis  and  her 
daughter  putting  it  at  250  to  300  men.  I  think  he  had  probably  about  200. 
What  his  loss  was  I  cannot  say,  as  he  picked  up  all  his  dead  and  wounded  and 
took  them  off  in  the  night.  The  Union  people  in  Aldie  report  that  he  took 
them  in  five  wagons.  A  wounded  sergeant  reports  hearing  the  names  of  3  or  4 
spoken  of  as  killed  ;  one  mortally  wounded  man  was  left  on  the  ground.  I 
think  the  chance  was  an  excellent  one  to  whip  Mosby  and  take  his  gun.  I  have 
no  doubt  Major  Forbes  thought  so,  too,  as  the  wounded  men  say  there  was  not 
enough  difference  in  numbers  to  talk  about.  The  chance  was  lost.  I  have 
scouting  parties  out  to  Centreville  to  watch  Thoroughfare  Gap  and  the  country 
south,  but  have  not  at  present  any  party  to  the  north  beyond  Chantilly  and 
Dranesville.  A  part  of  my  picket-line  had  not  been  relieved  for  two  days.  I 
shall  try  to  see  the  General  this  p.  m.  for  a  few  minutes,  if  there  is  nothing 
new  here,  and  if  the  orderly  brings  word  that  he  has  returned  to  the  city. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  R.  LOWELL,  JR., 
Col,  Second  Mass.  Cav,  Comn? a g  Brigade. 

Lieut.-Col.  JOSEPH  H.  TAYLOR, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

July,  1864 — General  Early  Falls  Back  from  Maryland— The  Federal  Forces  under  General  Crook 
Follow  Through  Loudoun— Capture  Picket  Post  at  the  "Big  Poplar  "—Outrages  in 
Loudoun— The  Sixth  Corps  (Gen.  Wright)  Falling  Back  to  Washington  — "  Mosby's 
Men  ''  on  their  Track. 

After  invading  Maryland  and  threatening  Washington, 
General  Early,  on  the  I4th  of  July,  recrossed  the  Potomac 
at  White's  Ford,  and,  resting  near  Leesburg,  on  the  i6th 
marched  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley  through  Snicker's  Gap 
in  the  Blue  Ridge.  General  Hunter  united  with  Sigel  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  and  the  combined  forces,  under  General 
Crook,  moved  into  Loudoun,  following  closely  in  Early's 
rear. 

General  Early  presented  Mosby  with  a  small  rifled  can 
non,  at  the  same  time  complimenting  him  highly  on  the 
energy  and  bravery  of  his  command. 

While  the  Federal  forces  were  passing  through  "  Mosby's 
Confederacy,"  in  pursuit  of  Early,  detached  parties  under 
Mosby,  Richards,  Chapman,  Glasscock  and  others  hovered 
around,  continually  harassing  them,  attacking  their  outposts 
and  assailing  them  whenever  an  opportunity  offered.  (See 
Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  IX.) 

On  the  1 8th  Averell's  troopers  endeavored  to  cross  the 
Shenandoah  at  Castleman's  Ferry  in  Early's  rear,  but  were 
driven  back  with  heavy  loss,  leaving  some  of  their  flags  float 
ing  in  the  stream.  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards  with  10  men,  being 
sent  to  the  vicinity  in  quest  of  information,  came  upon  a 
party  of  Federal  cavalry  near  Snickersville.  A  sharp  skir 
mish  took  place,  resulting  in  favor  of  "  Mosby's  Men,"  who 
killed  5,  wounded  2,  and  captured  4  prisoners  and  n  horses 
with  their  equipments. 

General  Duffie,  with  his  whole  force  of  cavalry,  with 
artillery  and  ambulances,  passed  through  Upperville  and 
Paris  and  camped  on  the  night  of  the  1 8th  near  the  entrance 


CAPT.  D.  K.  DUFF.  i4TH  PENNSYLVANIA  CAVALRY. 

Wounded  and  captured  in  Mt.  Carmel  fight,  February  19,  1865.  by  C.  H.  Dear. 


I  A5HBY'5GAP,     2.  BIG  POPLAR.     3  PAWS.    4  ROAD  TO  UPPERVILLE.  5  SUGAR  LOAF  MOUNTAIN 


ASHBY'S  GAP. 
View  taken  from  the  Blue  Ridge  two  miles  south  of  the  Gap. 

The  "Big  Poplar"  was  burned  down  earl}'  in  the  summer  of  1908.  Dr.  Settle 
was  having  the  water  piped  to  his  house  from  a  spring  on  the  top  of  the 
mountain  It  is  supposed  the  workmen  on  that  job,  eithef  by  accident  or 
design,  set  fire  to  the  tree. 


MOSBY'S    RANCHERS. 


193 


of  Ashby's  Gap.      On  their  march  a  caisson  exploded,  kill, 
ing-  one  and  wounding  5  men  and  2  horses. 

A  large  tree,  known  as  the  "  Big  Poplar,"  marks  the  cor 
ner  where  the  three  counties  of    Loudoun,  Fauquier  and 


BREVET  MAJ.-GEN.  GEORGE  CROOK,  U.  S.  A. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 

Clarke  unite  in  the  Gap,  and  at  this  place  the  Federals 
posted  a  picket  of  one  squadron  from  the  Twentieth  Penn 
sylvania  Calvary.  Capt.  Wm.  H.  Chapman,  of  Company 
C,  after  reconnoitering  the  position,  divided  his  command, 
and  with  Lieutenant  Fox  attacked  the  post,  killing  and 


194  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

wounding  several  and  capturing  about  60  men,  with  horses 
and  equipments.1  Chapman  lost  one  man,  C.  Bohrer,  of 
Georgetown,  D.  C.,  who  was  thrown  from  his  horse  in  the 
charge,  and  died  from  his  injuries  a  few  days  after. 

While  the  Federal  troops  were  in  the  vicinity,  5  of  our 
men  were  captured,  and  one,  Keene,  was  killed  near  Upper- 
ville.  Along  the  line  of  march  a  number  of  defenseless 
women  were  shamefully  ill-treated  by  the  Federal  soldiers, 
whose  officers  did  not  attempt  to  restrain  them  either 
from  pillage  or  from  their  disgraceful  assaults.  At  the 
house  of  Mrs.  O'Rear,  above  Paris,  although  she  pleaded 
that  she  was  a  widow  and  alone,  they  struck  her,  choked  and 
threatened  her ;  took  her  provisions,  killed  her  stock,  broke 
up  her  furniture,  and  took  her  bedding  and  wearing  apparel. 
Her  feather  beds  and  pillows  they  cut  open  and  threw  into 
the  filth  of  the  stable.  This  case  was  but  one  of  many.  Mrs. 
Doctor  Payne,  at  Paris,  and  a  lady  at  a  mill  near  Upperville 
were  struck  and  threatened  by  them. 

Company  B  was  sent  down  Fairfax,  but  accomplished 
little,  only  capturing  5  prisoners  and  7  horses  near  the  Court 
House. 

Wednesday,  July  20. — Mosby,  with  Companies  A  and  D, 
moved  down  through  Loudoun,  getting  in  the  rear  of  the 
Federal  forces.  On  coming  around  near  Snickersville,  a 
large  train  was  seen  in  camp  Avith  a  heavy  cavalry  guard. 
Mosby  made  several  ineffectual  attempts  to  draw  out  a  por 
tion  of  the  guard.  A  few  of  our  men  would  ride  out  in  full 
view  of  the  camp  and  after  showing  themselves,  retreat. 
Then  they  would  ride  closer  and  fire  on  the  guards.  Find 
ing  all  efforts  to  entice  them  away  from  the  train  fruitless, 
Mosby  started  off,  saying  he  would  go  back  and  bring  on 
the  remainder  of  the  command,  with  whom  he  would  meet 


1  General  Duffie,  in  his  report,  says  :  "  I  regret  to  report  that  through  the 
shameful  mismanagement  and  neglect  of  the  officer  in  command — Captain  Mont 
gomery,  Twentieth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry — one  squadron,  which  was  picketing 
the  rear  of  the  Gap,  and  within  one  mile  of  my  command,  was  captured  by 
Mosby's  guerrillas,  with  all  their  horses,  arms  and  equipments.  The  loss  by  the 
capture  was  2  commissioned  officers,  50  enlisted  men  and  about  55  horses.  I 
have  recommended  the  officer  commanding  this  squadron  for  dismissal." 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


195 


us  about  two  o'clock  next  morning,  and  that  he  would  then 
push  on  and  attack  the  train  just  before  daylight. 

After  dark  we  moved  off,  and  when  near  the  Leesburg 
and  Snickersville  pike  the  command  was  halted.  Lieutenant 
Nelson  galloped  out 
towards  the  road,  on 
approaching  which 
he  was  saluted  with 
three  or  four  shots. 
He  then  discovered 
that  a  train  was  pass 
ing  along  the  road, 
but  too  heavily  guardr 
ed  to  be  attacked  with 
our  small  force.  Cav 
alry  flankers  were  out 
on  either  side  of  the 
road,  some  of  whom 
passed  near  enough 
to  Lieut.  Samuel 
Chapman  to  have 
touched  him,  he  hav 
ing  crept  out  to  the 
roadside  and  con 
cealed  himself  iri  a 
bush  to  observe  the 
passing  train.  The 
infantry  were  firing 
into  the  woods  as 
they  passed  along, 

either  at  imaginary  enemies,  or  to  frighten  away  any  real 
ones  who  might  venture  to  approach.  We  moved  along 
and  tried  to  cross  the  road  at  another  point,  but  found  it 
blocked  with  infantry.  At  several  places  where  we  at 
tempted  to  cross,  the  road  was  also  filled  with  troops. 
Not  being  able  to  fathom  the  mystery  surrounding  us, 
it  was  decided  to  fall  back  from  the  road  and  wait  until 
daylight,  when  the  meaning  of  the  manceuver  would  be 
revealed. 


MAJ.-GEN.  HORATIO  G.  WRIGHT,  U.  S.  A. 


196  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

We  traveled  all  the  rest  of  the  night,  crossing  Short  Hills, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  2ist  of  July  halted  at  the  foot  of 
the  mountains,  where  we  fed  our  horses,  while  scouts 
were  sent  out  to  the  turnpike.  They  soon  reported  that 
the  Sixth  Corps,  under  General  Wright,  was  marching  back 
to  Washington. 

Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher,  with  15  men,  started  off  immedi 
ately,  while  the  rest  of  the  command  were  ordered  to 
follow  as  soon  as  the  horses  were  given  a  little  rest. 

When  we  came  out  on  the  grade  we  found  Hatcher  with 
83  prisoners  that  he  had  picked  up  on  the  road.  The  men 
with  broken  down  horses  were  sent  back  with  the  prisoners 
and  we  moved  along  the  turnpike  to  Purcellville.  The 
Federals  had  all  passed  and  the  road  bore  evidence  of  their 
passage :  fences  destroyed  ;  the  cavalry  had  ridden  through 
corn  fields,  trampling  down  the  corn  and  feeding  their 
horses  on  the  tops  ;  skins  of  calves  and  hogs,  with  heads  and 
feathers  of  poultry,  etc.,  were  scattered  around,  with  now 
and  then  a  dead  horse.  We  picked  up  a  few  more  prison 
ers,  mostly  stragglers,  and  at  dark  moved  on  to  Union,  and 
thence  home. 

During  the  day  104  prisoners,  in  all,  were  gathered  up  by 
our  men  and  sent  South. 


THE  NIGHT  MARCH. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

July,    1864— General     Early    again   in     Maryland— Company    E    Organized— Artillery    Company 
Organized— The    Adamstown   Raid— Capture   of   Picket  Post  at  Mouth   of  Monocacy 
Federal  Troops  Stirred  Up  along  the  Potomac — Trying  to  Cut  Off  "  Mosby's  Men  "  at  the 
Fords  —Company  E  in  a  Tight  Place. 

After  the  battle  of  Kernstown  the  Federal  forces  were 
driven  back  to  Harper's  Ferry,  General  Early  again  ad 
vanced  to  the  Potomac,  and  on  the  2Qth  of  July  McCaus- 
land  crossed  above  Williamsport  and  moved  on  to  Cham- 
bersburg,  in  Pennsylvania. 

On  Thursday,  July  28th,  at  a  meeting  held  at  Upperville, 
Company  E  was  organized.  Samuel  F.  Chapman  was 
elected  Captain ;  Fountain  Beattie,  First  Lieutenant ;  Wil 
liam  Martin,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  W.  Ben  Palmer,  Third 
Lieutenant. 

William  H.  Mosby,  brother  of  Colonel  Mosby,  was  ap 
pointed  Adjutant  of  the  Battalion,  in  place  of  Samuel  F. 
Chapman,  now  Captain  of  Company  E. 

Up  to  this  time  Lieutenant  Samuel  Chapman  always  had 
charge  of  the  artillery,  but  soon  after  his  promotion  to  the 
captaincy  of  Company  E  an  artillery  company  was  regularly 
organized,  with  the  following  officers:  Captain,  Peter  A. 
Franklin;  First  Lieutenant,  John  J.  Fray1;  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  John  P.  Page ;  Third  Lieutenant,  Frank  H.  Rahm. 

About  dusk  we  moved  off  with  200  men  and  3  small 
pieces  of  artillery,  halting  at  Green  Garden  Mill  to  feed  our 
horses,  and  between  8  and  9  o'clock  continued  our  march 
down  Loudoun,  camping  at  night  near  Purcellvilie.  The 
29th  was  a  very  warm  day  and  we  traveled  slowly,  halting 
in  the  middle  of  the  day  and  passing  the  night  near  Morri- 
sonville. 

On  the  3oth  we  proceeded  to  the  Potomac  river,  and  at 

1  Lieutenant  John  J.  Fray,  previous  to  joining  Mosby,  commanded  a  bat 
tery  of  artillery  at  Yorktown.  After  the  war  he  removed  to  Raleigh.  N.C., 
where  he  established  a  prosperous  school  known  as  the  Raleigh  Male  Acad 
emy.  He  died  December  23,  1884. 


198 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


Cheek's  Ford  Companies  A  and  D  were  ordered  to  cross. 
Carbineers  were  dismounted  to  wade  the  river  on  our 
flanks,  and  by  the  time  they  reached  the  river  bank  we 
heard  the  sharp  crack  of  carbines.  The  command  "  For 
ward  !  "  was  given  by  Lieutenant  Nelson  and  we  dashed 
into  the  water ;  the  head  of  the  column  was  on  the  towpath 
before  the  sharpshooters  had  crossed.  There  were  but  7 
Federal  cavalrymen  on  picket  at  the  Ford — one  had  gone  to 
the  blacksmith's  shop  to  have  his  horse  shod — and  the  re 
maining  6  were  captured.  Along  the  towpath  we  went  at  a 

gallop,  the  dust  rising  in  such 
a  cloud  that  I  could  not  see 
the  man  riding  in  advance  of 
me. 

When  we  reached  Noland's 
Ferry  we  saw  Company  B 
in  the  river  in  the  act  of 
crossing.  We  then  moved 
on  to  Adamstown,  at  which 
place  there  were  a  couple  of 
stores,  over  which  Lieuten 
ant  Nelson  placed  a  guard 
and  allowed  nothing  to  be 
disturbed.  Telegraph  poles 
were  cut  down  and  wires  cut. 
Here  we  separated.  Com- 

CAPT.  SAMUEL    F.    CHAPMAN,  CO.  E.        PanJ    B>  after    ™Oving    down 
From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War.  towards  MonOCaCy ,  returned 

and    recrossed    the   river. 

Companies  A  and  D  pushed  on  to  within  a  mile  and  a  half 
of  Barnesville,  and  -by  the  Sugar  Loaf  to  the  Mouth  of 
the  Monocacy,  where  there  was  a  picket  post  of  the  Eighth 
Illinois  Cavalry  of  about  35  men  We  now  learned  that 
the  Federal  forces  were  on  our  trail  and  would  seek  to  cut 
us  off  from  the  river. 

Coming  in  sight  of  the  picket  post,  Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher, 
with  25  men,  was  sent  around  to  get  in  their  rear.  While 
Hatcher's  party  moved  off  to  accomplish  the  task  assigned 
to  them,  Lieutenant  Nelson  with  the  rest  of  our  men  pro- 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


199 


ceeded  slowly  along  to  the  river,  to  draw  the  attention  of 
the  enemy. 

The  picket  post  was  on  a  high  bluff  overlooking  the  road 
and  commanding  the  ford.  As  AVC  came  in  sight  the  pickets 
opened  fire  and  we  remained  for  a  time  in  the  road,  an  ex 
posed  target,  unable  to  return  their  fire.  They  were  armed 
with  carbines  and  from  their  position  were  able  to  fire 
directly  down  on  our  ranks,  while,  even  had  we  possessed 
carbines,  our  shots  would  have  fallen  harmless  or  passed 
over  their  heads.  One  of  our  men,  John  H.  Alexander,  was 
struck  in  the  side  of  the  head  by  one  of  the  balls  which  whis 
tled  around  our  ears,  or  struck  the  ground  under  our  horses' 
feet,  knocking  up  the  dust  in  a 
lively  manner.  Being  thus 
placed  under  fire  for  a  good 
purpose,  though  an  honorable 
position,  was  a  very  uncomfort 
able  one.  We  soon  heard  a  yell 
over  the  hill,  and  the  sharp 
cracking  of  pistols,  which  an 
nounced  the  arrival  of  Hatcher' 
among  them.  We  could  see 
those  who  were  on  the  edge  of 
the  bluff  firing  at  us,  turn  in 
their  saddles,  fire  a  few  shots 
and  then  scamper  off.  Four  or 
five  Federals  were  killed  in  the 
attack  and  22  prisoners  were 
brought  off.  Hatcher  had  no 
one  hurt,  but  several  horses  be 
longing  to  his  party  were  shot — one  killed.  One  of  our 
men,  Cunningham,  fell  from  his  horse ;  the  horse  came  out, 
but  the  rider  was  left  behind.  We  recrossed  the  river, 
bringing  40  horses  more  than  we  took  over  with  us.2 


LIEUT.  JOHN  J.  FRAY, 

Artillery  Company  t  430!   Battalion  Virginia 
Cavalry. 


*Poolesville,  July  31,  1864. 

WAITE  to  RAYMOND  •  "Cheek's  Ford,  first  above  Monocacy,  where  Mos1>y 
crossed  yesterday,  is  unguarded,  leaving  my  right  exposed.  When  18  of  my 
men  were  fighting  Mosby's  whole  command  yesterday,  I  am  informed,  Major 
Thompson  was  within  supporting  distance.  My  loss  in  that  affair — Lieutenant 


2OO 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


In  a  very  entertaining  sketch  of  this  little  raid,  written  by 
John  H.  Alexander,  of  Company  A,  and  recently  published 
in  the  Leesburg  Mirror,  he  says  in  conclusion  : 

We  then  pushed  on  up  the  river  to  reach  the  ford  at 
Noland's  Ferry  before  another  detachment  of  Yankees,  who 

were  coming  down  the  river, 
should  get  there.  We  barely 
made  it,  too.  I  crossed  over 
with  the  prisoners  among  the 
hi  st.  But  the  enemy  came  up 
in  time  to  make  it  hot  for 
our  rear  guard.  Cab.  Maddux, 
even  in  those  days,  made  a 
rather  attractive  mark,  but  as 
the  bullets  were  splashing  the 
water  around  him,  his  charac 
teristic  solicitude  for  others 
was  manifested.  Seeing  a 
comrade  in  arms  struggling 
through  the  waves  some  dis 
tance  off  and  not  receiving  that 
attention  from  the  Federal  sol 
diers  which  he  thought  due  to 
his  rank,  Cab.  cried  out  at  the 
top  of  his  voice,  "  Hurry  up, 
Major  Hibbs  !  Come  along, 
Major  !  "  The  Yankees  at  once 

transferred    their   shower    baths   from    Cab.  to  the  Major, 
who  showed  his  appreciation  of   the  former's  self-sacrifice 

by    spluttering  out   to    him   that  he   was  " respectful 

all  at  once." 

As  Dr.  Sowers  was  dressing  my  wound  at  a  farm  house 
on  this  side  of  the  river  (the  Virginia  side)  Harry  Hatcher 

Delaney  wounded,  2  men  killed,  3  wounded,  7  or  8  prisoners  and  about  25  horses 
and  equipments  captured." 


CAPT.  PETER  A.  FRANKLIN, 

Artillery  Company, 
43d  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry. 


Monocacy,  July  31,  1S64. 

TYLER  to  WALLACE  :  "  By  the  disgraceful  conduct  of  Lieutenant  Van  Ness,  of 
the  Third  New  Jersey  Infantry,  in  charge  of  the  detachment  guarding  the  Poto 
mac  from  the  mouth  of  Monocacy  to  the  Point  of  Rocks,  one  man  was  killed 
[and]  a  lieutenant  [and]  15  men  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  captured  near 
Noland's  Ferry  yesterday  by  Mosby's  thieves.  It  is  reported  they  captured 
about  200  horses  from  citizens  on  this  side.  Colonel  Clendenin  reports  the  con 
duct  of  the  lieutenant  as  cowardly  in  a  superlative  degree.'' 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


2O I 


came  up  and  offered  this  consolation  :  "  Never  mind, 
nie,  old  boy  ;  I  killed  one  of  them  Yankees  for  that." 

When   we  returned  to  the  Virginia  side  we  found  that 
Company  E  had  crossed  in  our  absence.     Men  came  in  say 
ing  they   had  been  cut  off  and  had  lost  a  great  number  of 
men.     This,  however,  proved  to  be  an  exaggeration.     It  ap 
peared  that  the  Federals  had  been  stirred  up  by  Nelson  and 
Hatcher  and  wished  to  cut  off  their  retreat  by  taking  pos 
session  of  the  fords  in  the  neighborhood.     Company  E  was 
proceeding  along  when  they 
discovered  a  force  of  Fed 
eral  cavalry  immediately  in 
their   front.      Seeing   the 
force    was   too    strong   for 
them    and    advancing   rap 
idly,   they  turned   back  to 
the  ford.     They  now  found 
that     another     detachment 
was  hurrying  on   to  reach 
the  ford  in  advance  of  them 
and  cut  them  off.    Both  par 
ties  then  had  a  race  for  the 
ford.     Company  E  had  no 
time  to  spare,  for  as  they 
were  in  the  river  in  the  act 
of    crossing,   the    Federals 
were   firing   at  them   from 
the  shore.      One    man   fell 
from    his    horse    and    was 
drowned.      Several  sprang 

from  their  horses  and  swam  over,  catching  their  horses  as 
they  came  out  on  the  Virginia  shore. 

When  the  companies  had  all  united,  a  report  was  brought 
in  that  the  Federal  troops  had  crossed  the  river  and  were 
following  us.  A  halt  was  ordered  and  the  Battalion  drawn 
up  in  line  of  battle.  It  was  now  about  dusk.  The  guns 
were  unlimbered,  and  one  of  the  howitzers  was  placed  in 
the  road,  the  other  in  a  field  so  as  to  command  the  road. 
The  companies  were  posted  on  either  side  of  the  road,  a 


LIEUT.  FRANK  H.  RAHM, 

Artillery  Company  430!  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


202 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


portion  of  them  in  a  cornfield.  After  waiting  some  time  ex 
pecting  an  attack,  scouts  came  in  and  reported  that  no  force 
had  crossed  the  river.  We  then  quietly  resumed  our  homer 

ward  journey.  (See 
Mosby's  Report,  Ap 
pendix,  X.) 

Sunday,  July  31. — 
Sent  off  prisoners,  22 
in  all,  and  led  horses. 
Orders  were  sent  for 
remainder  of  com 
mand  to  meet  at  Up- 
perville  and  join  us. 
At  night  we  camped 
near  Hillsborough, 
tying  our  horses  to 
the  fences,  and  lay 
down  to  rest.  We 
were  now  in  a  land 
of  plenty,  with  good 
blue  grass  and  corn 
for  our  horses,  and 
bread,  meat,  cheese, 
pies  and  milk  for 
ourselves.  So  we 
rested  until  Monday 
evening,  when  we 
moved  off  to  Snick 
er's  Gap,  crossed  the 
Shenandoah  at  Cas- 

tleman's  Ferry  and  camped  for  the  night  about  two  miles 
from  the  river. 

Tuesday,  August  2. — We  went  through  Kabletown  and 
thence  to  Charlestown.  Mosby  with  two  or  three  men 
started  off  towards  General  Early 's  headquarters  and  we  re 
turned  home. 


JOHN  C.  KANE,  CO.  D. 

(light  suit) 
JAMES  C.  KANE,  CO.  D. 

(dark  suit) 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

August,  1864 — General  Early  in  Maryland  Once  More— Sheridan  Assumes  Command  in  the 
Valley— Mosby  on  the  Potomac— In  Fairfax— Capture  of  Pickets— Skirmish  near  Fairfax 
Station — Death  of  Captain  Flcmming— Fight  near  Berryville— Defeat  of  General  Kenly 
and  Capture  of  Sheridan's  Supply  Train— The  Largest  Capture  Ever  Made  by  Mosby — 
Exciting  Scenes — The  Paymaster's  Greenbacks  Were  There,  but  We  Didn't  Know  It — 
The  Result  of  the  Capture— A  Heavy  Blow  to  Sheridan,  Compelling  Him  to  Fall  Back 
to  Harper's  Ferry— Vigilance  and  Activity  of  "  Mosby's  Men"— Capture  of  the  New 
York  Tribune  Correspondent — Lieutenant  Walker  and  All  His  Escort  Killed  or  Captured — 
"Mosby's  Men"  in  the  Valley — Capture  Picket  Post  near  Castleman's  Ferry— House- 
burners  at  Work — Federals  have  no  Mercy  for  Helpless  Women  and  Children  — Rangers 
give  no  Quarter  to  Incendiaries. 

General  Early 's  retreat  ended  at  Strasburg.  Turning 
upon  his  pursuers,  he  drove  Crook  and  Averell  down  the 
Valley  and  soon  the  Confederate  cavalry  were  crossing  the 
borders  and  again  carrying  the  War  into  Pennsylvania. 

On  the  ;th  of  August,  1864,  under  orders  from  the  War 
Department,  Washington,  General  Sheridan  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  Middle  Department,  with  headquarters  at  Har 
per's  Ferry,1  and  on  the  same  day  Grant  wrote  Sheridan : 

"  Do  not  hesitate  to  give  commands  to  officers  in  whom 
you  repose  confidence,  without  regard  to  claims  of  others 
on  account  of  rank.  If  you  deem  Torbert  the  best  man  to 
command  the  cavalry,  place  him  in  command  and  give 
Averell  some  other  command,  or  relieve  him  from  the  expe 
dition,  and  order  him  to  report  to  General  Hunter.  What 
we  want  is  prompt  and  active  movements  after  the  enemy, 
in  accordance  with  instructions  you  already  have.  I  feel 
every  confidence  that  you  will  do  the  very  best,  and  will 
leave  you  as  far  as  possible  to  act  on  your  own  judgment, 
and  not  embarrass  you  with  orders  and  instructions." 

In  accordance  with  instructions,  Sheridan  at  once  moved 

1  GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  WAR  DEPT.,  ADJT.  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

No.  240.  \  Washington,  August  7,  1864. 

1.  The  Middle    Department   and   the  Departments   of  Washington,    of   the 
Susquehanna,  and  of  West  Virginia  will  constitute  the  Middle  Military  Division. 

2.  Maj.  Gen.  P.  H.  Sheridan  is  assigned  by  the  President  to  the  temporary 
command  of  the  Middle  Military  Division. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

E.   D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


204  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

against  Early  with  the  entire  force  which  had  been  concen 
trated  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  the  Confederates  again  fell 
back  up  the  Valley. 

Saturday,  August  6. — Command  met  at  Upperville,  and 
Mosby,  with  about  250  men  and  4  small  pieces  of  artillery, 
moved  off  through  the  little  town  of  Union  and  down  to  the 
Potomac,  halting  about  midnight.  We  found  the  fords  along 
the  river  all  strongly  guarded,  and  large  bodies  of  cavalry 
moving  towards  Harper's  Ferry  on  the  Maryland  side.2 

We  made  no  attempt  to  cross  the  river,  and  on  Sunday, 
August  /th,  the  artillery  was  sent  back.  Mosby  then  took 
Company  A  for  a  raid  into  Fairfax,  leaving  the  remainder 
of  the  command  to  press  corn  along  the  river.3 

Mosby  proceeded  with  Company  A  down  Fairfax,  and 
camped  in  a  piece  of  woods  about  three  miles  below  Centre- 
ville.  Walter  Whaley,  with  7  men,  went  on  a  scout  towards 
Annandale.  They  returned  about  8  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  Monday,  August  8th,  bringing  in  3  prisoners  and  4  horses, 
captured  near  Burke's  Station.  There  were  4  men  on 
picket,  but  one  of  them,  a  corporal,  had  gone  to  a  spring  near 
by  to  get  a  drink,  and  so  escaped  capture.4 

2  Major  Waite,  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  was  then  guarding  the  river 
from  Point  of  Rocks  to  Edward's  Ferry,  with  600  men. 

General  Grant,  in  a  despatch  to  Hunter,  dated  August  5,  1864,  ordering  him 
to  concentrate  all  his  available  force  in  the  vicinity  of  Harper's  Ferry,  says  • 
"  The  brigade  of  cavalry  now  en  route  from  Washington,  via  Rockville,  may 
be  taken  into  account.  There  are  now  on  the  way  to  join  you  three  other 
brigades  of  the  best  of  cavalry,  numbering  at  least  5,000  men  and  horses." 

3  Point  of  Rocks,  Md.,  August  7,  1864. 

COOK  to  BURLFIGH  :  "  Captain  Hewett,  provost-marshal,  Berlin,  reports 
Mosby,  from  400  to  500  strong,  in  his  front.  Their  pickets  extend  down  to 
near  this  point.  They  are  pressing  teams  and  removing  forage,  probably  their 
only  object." 

4  HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE,  ) 

Near  Falls  Church,   Va.,Aug.  S,  1864.  f 

LAZELLE  to  TAYLOR  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  all  quiet  in  this  vicinity. 
A  picket  post,  supplied  from  the  detachment  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cav 
alry,  at  Annandale,  consisting  of  one  corporal  and  three  men,  stationed  on  the 
old  Braddock  Road,  about  3  miles  southeast  of  Annandale,  was  surrounded  and 
captured  by  a  party  of  about  15  rebels  this  morning  between  5  and  6  o'clock. 
Four  horses  and  three  of  the  men  were  taken  by  the  enemy.  The  corporal 
alone  escared  to  bring  the  tidings  to  camp.  I  have  nothing  to  report  from  ad 
vance  scouts. 


MOSBV  S    RANGERS. 


20; 


Lieutenant  Nelson,  taking  15  or  20  men,  started  to  capture 
two  picket-posts  on  the  old  Braddock  road.  One  of  these, 
suspecting  an  attack,  moved  off,  but  the  second  party  was 
attacked  and  pursued  by  Nelson  to  within  3  miles  of  Alex 
andria.  Three  only,  with  their  horses,  were  captured.5 

Mosby  said  the  Federals 
would  come  out  to  look 
after  their  pickets  and  then 
he  would  attack  them. 

After  Nelson's  depart 
ure,  Mosby  moved  on 
with  the  remainder  of  the 
command,  38  men  in  all. 
While  riding  along 
through  the  pines,  a  party 
of  the  Thirteenth  New 
York  Cavalry,  who  were 
in  ambush,  fired  from 
their  place  of  concealment 
on  our  vedettes,  Walter 
Whaley  and  George  M. 
Slater,  wounding  Slater 
in  the  leg,  and  his  horse 
in  the  neck.  After  firing, 
the  Federals  fled  in  the  di 
rection  of  Fairfax  Station, 
where  they  united  with 

a  company  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry  and  thus  re 
inforced,  they  thought  themselves  more  than  a  match  for 
Mosby. 

As  Mosby  came  up  with  them,  he  heard  the  Federal 
officer  give  orders  to  his  men  to  deliver  a  fire  with  their 
carbines  and  then  charge  with  sabres.  Mosby  did  not 

5  Alexandria  August  9,  1SG4. 

WELLS  to  TAYLOR:  "  About  40  guerrillas  attacked  my  pickets  near  the 
telegraph  road  last  night  at  u  o'clock.  Charged  on  a  small  reserve  and  cap 
tured  2  horses  and  2  men  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York.  They  then  retreated 
toward  Burke's  Station.  I  am  not  yet  satisfied  that  the  officer  in  charge  of  the 
picket  or  the  men  composing  the  reserve  did  their  duty,  but  am  investigating 
and  shall  report  to-day." 


LIEUT.  GEN.  JUBAL  A.  EARLY,  C.  S.  A. 


206  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

wait  for  them,  but  immediately  gave  the  order  to  charge, 
and  our  men,  drawing  their  pistols,  dashed  on  with  a  yell 
The  Federals  fired  a  volley  (wounding  Frank  Turner)  and 
then  fled.  They  were  completely  routed  and  lost  6  killed, 
including  Capt.  J.  H.  Flem 
ming,  of  the  Sixteenth  New 
York,  who  was  in  command ; 
Captain  McMenamin,  of  the 
Thirteenth  New  York,  a  lieuten 
ant,  and  a  number  of  privates 
were  wounded.  Twenty-seven 
prisoners  were  captured,  with 
37  horses. 

(See  Mosby's  Report,  Appen 
dix,  XL) 

Friday,  August  12. — Command 
met  at  Rectortown,  and  passing 
through  Snicker's  Gap,  Mosby 
crossed  the  Shenandoah  with 

GEORGE  Al.  SLATER,  CO.    E. 
abOUt     330    men  and   2   Small   hOW-  From  a  War-time  Photograph. 

itzers.      Scouts   brought   in   the 

intelligence  that  a  large  train  with  supplies  for  Sheridan's 
army,  with  a  heavy  guard  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  was  on 
its  way  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  Winchester. 

After  marching  all  night,  on  the  morning  of  the  I3th  we 
moved  out  in  the  direction  of  Berryville.  A  portion  of  the 
train  had  just  hauled  out  of  park  near  a  stream,  where  it 
had  been  halted  to  water  the  animals.  A  fog,  which  the 
morning  sun  had  not  yet  dispelled,  partially  concealed  us 
from  the  enemy  and  gave  time  to  bring  up  our  little  force. 

The  plan  of  attack  was  for  the  artillery,  two  mountain 
howitzers  and  about  30  men,  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Captain  Peter  A.  Franklin,  to  open  fire,  after  which  the 
cavalry,  in  two  columns,  were  to  charge  and  pursue  the 
train  guard,  consisting  of  a  brigade  of  infantry  and  a  small 
body  of  cavalry.  The  First  Squadron,  under  Captain  A. 
E.  Richards,  was  to  move  out  toward  Berryville  to  attack 
the  head  of  the  train,  while  Captain  William  Chapman, 
with  the  Second  Squadron,  was  to  strike  the  train  from 


MOSBY  S    RAXGKRS.  2O/ 

the  point  he  occupied  to  the  right  of  the  artillery.  Mean 
while,  Captain  Sam  Chapman,  with  Company  E,  \vas  to  be 
kept  behind  the  hill,  out  of  sight  of  the  pike,  to  support 
the  guns. 

As  the  curtain  of  fog  lifted,  the  Federals  could  plainly 
see  us,  being  only  a  little  over  200  yards  distant,  but  evi 
dently  mistook  us  for  their  own  men. 

Captain  Franklin  decided  to  use  only  one  gun  in  the 
initial  attack  and  to  advance  the  other  piece  with  the 
cavalry.  The  order  to  unlimber  and  commence  firing  was 
given  As  there  was  some  slight  delay  about  unlimbering 
the  gun,  Captain  Franklin  jumped  from  his  horse  and  put 
the  gun  into  action.  The  first  shot,  a  shell  well  aimed, 
struck  a  forge  in  the  road  and  burst  right  in  a  mass  of  the 
enemy's  troops ;  the  second  exploded  in  the  midst  of  the 
wagons  and  caused  a  stampede  of  the  drivers.  The  third 
shot  was  followed  by  a  charge. 

Leaving  the  gun  in  command  of  Lieutenant  Fray,  Frank 
lin,  with  the  other  gun,  advanced  with  the  cavalry.  The 
infantry  broke  in  great  disorder  toward  the  south  along  the 
road  and  southwest  over  the  fields,  some  taking  refuge  in 
the  woods  and  behind  a  stone  fence  and  other  obstructions, 
from  which  they  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  until  dislodged 
by  a  charge  or  a  shell. 

Captain  Franklin  then  took  position  on  a  hill  the  enemy 
had  just  evacuated  and  which  protected  the  road  the  cavalry 
would  have  to  take  on  its  return.  Behind  some  stone  fenc 
ing  about  150  or  200  yards  in  front,  quite  a  number  of  the 
infantry  had  rallied,  while  to  the  left  there  were  others  who 
had  taken  shelter  behind  houses,  etc.  From  these  sources 
a  galling  fire  was  opened  on  the  artillery  position.  Captain 
Franklin  ordered  everyone  off  the  hill  and  called  for  two 
men,  one  to  bring  a  charge  for  the  gun  and  the  other  to 
bring  a  friction  primer.  Ben  Thrift  brought  up  the 
charge,  and  Frank  Geschky,  better  known  as  "Zoo," 
brought  up  the  primer.  Franklin  sighted  the  gun  and  the 
first  shot  exploded  on  the  top  of  the  stone  fence  behind 
which  was  the  massed  infantry  It  demoralized  them. 
The  gun  was  then  rapidly  worked  and  those  of  the  enemy 
not  immediately  in  front,  seeing  the  stout  resistance  of  the 


208 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


howitzer  and  its  accurate  work,  broke  again  and  were  soon 
followed  by  those  from  the  stone  fence.6 

Captain  Franklin,  of  the  artillery,  with  Lieutenants  Fray 
and  Rahm  and  Sergeant  Babcock,  handled  the  gun  well 
and  did  good  service. 


6  Ben  Thrift,  now  a  resident  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  speaking  of  the  Berry  - 
ville  fight,  said:  "It  was  just  about  daybreak.  After  the  guns  were  in 
position,  loaded  and  ready  to  fire,  one  of  the  men  stepped  out  and  fired  his 

gun.     Mosby  said,  'What  d fool  is  that?'    The  man  said,  'I  want  to  shoot  at 

them.'  We  were  in  a  yellow  jackets' 
nest,  Captain  Franklin  and  I  were 
together;  we  both  got  stung  severely, 
but  after  we  fired  the  first  gun  we 
didn't  feel  the  stings.  Whether  they 
were  frightened  away  or  we  were 
too  excited  to  feel  them,  will  never 
be  known. 

"There  were  about  six  shots 
fired;  all  aimed  by  Capt.  Franklin. 
The  first  shot  struck  a  wagon,  par 
tially  turning  it  around;  the  second 
upset  it  altogether.  We  were  under 
a  hot  fire  from  the  Yankees  who 
were  behind  a  stone  fence  when 
Capt.  Franklin  called  for  the  charge. 
I  brought  up  the  shells,  crawled 
under  the  gun  and  put  them  in; 
"Zoo"  brought  the  friction  primers, 
Franklin  aimed  the  gun  and  these 
shots  demoralized  the  Yankees. 

"All  I  can  now  recall  in  regard 
to  the  organization  of  the  Artillery," 
continued  Thrift,  "is  this  little  in 
cident:  After  forming  the  men  in 
line,  Mosby  said — 'Here  are  your 
officers.  Anyone  who  does  not  want 
to  serve  under  these  men  will  step 


BEN.  THRIFT,  Artillery  Co. 
Mosbv's  Command. 


From  photograph  taken  in  1865. 

out.' 

"At  Annandale  we  had  the  cannon.     Very  little  was  done  there. 

"We  also  had  the  artillery  at  Salem  and  shelled  them  there  and  drove  them 
off  to  Rectortown  We  were  on  many  raids  without  the  cannon.  In  the 
Adamstown  raid  I  was  guide,  being  familiar  with  that  locality.  We  had  a 
lively  little  fight  there." 

Col.  Gansevoort,  commanding  Cavalry  camp  near  Forth  Buffalo,  Ya.,  in 
his  report  dated  August  18,  1864,  says:  "Two  escaped  prisoners,  one  of  the 
First  U.  S.  and  the  other  of  the  First  New  York  Dragoons,  came  in  here  day 
before  yesterday.  They  report  that  Mosby  on  Sunday  morning  last  attacked 
the  wagon  train  of  the  First  Cavalry  Division  and  Sixth  Corps." 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


209 


One  party  sought  refuge  in  a  brick  church  in  the  suburbs 
of  Berryville,  from  which  they  for  some  time  kept  up  a 
murderous  fire,  killing  Welby  H.  Rector,  of  Mid  die  burg,  and 
wounding  Lieutenant  Wrenn  and  killing  his  horse.  Sergeant 
Edward  Rector,  of  Company  A,  was  also  wounded.  The 
howitzer  was  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  church  and  the  enemy 
were  forced  to  retire.  A  body 
of  infantry  on  the  right  took  up 
a  position  behind  a  stone  fence, 
and  in  an  orchard,  and  seemed 
determined  to  hold  their  ground, 
but  Captain  Chapman  charged 
and  drove  them  out.  Lewis 
Adie,  a  gallant  young  soldier,  of 
Leesburg,  was  killed  in  the 
charge,  and  C.  H.  Walker,  of 
Company  C,  severely  wounded.7 

The  head  of  the  train  was  at 
Berryville  and  extended  for  a 
long  distance  along  the  pike. 
Mules  were  taken  from  the 
wagons  and  the  wagons  then  set  on  fire.  The  whole  line 
presented  a  scene  of  the  wildest  confusion.  The  booming 
of  cannon,  the  bursting  shell,  the  rattling  of  musketry 
and  the  sharp  crack  of  the  pistols  mingled  with  the  yells  and 
curses  of  the  contending  forces  ;  the  braying  of  mules  and 
the  lowing  of  cattle  were  heard  together  with  the  cries 
and  groans  of  the  wounded.  In  the  road,  horses  and  mules 
were  dashing  wildly  about  like  mad  ;  wagons  upset — some 
blazing  or  smoking.  Teams  running  off  at  a  furious  pace, 
which  it  was  impossible  to  check,  would  attract  the  notice 
of  some  of  our  men,  who,  riding  alongside,  would  set  fire  to 
the  wagon,  and  as  the  smoke  curled  up.  the  frightened  mules 

7  Lieut.  Edward  F.  Thomson,  speaking  of  this  affair,  said:  "Louis  Adie 
was  killed  in  the  first  charge  by  the  infantry  behind  the  stone  fence.  Welby 
Rector  was  killed  by  my  side  at  the  old  church,  and  Philip  Smith  and  I  car 
ried  him  to  a  nearby  house  and  left  him,  telling  the  ladies  to  care  for  him  until 
his  father  came,  and  we  dashed  off  amid  flying  bullets." 


CHAS.  H.  WALKER,  CO    C. 
Wounded  at  Berryville,  August  13,  1864. 


210  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

rushed  frantically  along  until  they  fell  exhausted  or  were 
released  by  dashing  the  wagon  against  a  tree  or  some  ob 
stacle  in  the  road. 

Over  500  mules,  36  horses,  200  head  of  fine  cattle,  208 
prisoners  and  4  negroes  were  captured.  A  great  many 
Federals  were  killed  and  wounded  and  nearly  100  wagons 
were  destroyed,  with  their  contents. 

The  prisoners  and  mules  were  sent  out  to  Culpeper  on 
the  1 4th,  with  a  guard  of  20  men,  under  Lieut.  Frank  Fox. 
The  cattle  were  put  into  a  field  to  rest  for  a  few  days  as 
they  had  been  driven  hard  and  the  weather  was  very  warm 
— many  would  have  been  unable  to  stand  the  trip.  The 
prisoners  said  it  was  the  finest  lot  of  cattle  that  had  ever 
been  sent  to  the  army. 

In  one  of  the  wagons  was  a  box  which  was  thrown  out  on 
the  ground  by  the  roadside  with  other  boxes  and  trunks 
containing  officers'  baggage,  and  was  passed  unnoticed 
among  these  rich  prizes  by  our  men,  who  afterwards  learned 
to  their  regret  that  this  box  was  filled  with  greenbacks  to 
pay  off  Sheridan's  troops.8  The  Federals,  however,  came 
back  after  our  departure  and  secured  the  box  and  contents. 

The  u  Return  from  the  Raid  "  has  already  been  made  the 
subject  of  the  artist's  pencil,  but  it  is  impossible  to  faithfully 
portray  the  reality  of  that  scene  as  it  appeared  on  that  sum 
mer  day.  The  long  line  of  prisoners,  mules,  horses  and 
cattle  stretched  out  along  the  road.  Our  men,  wild  with 
excitement  and  elated  with  their  success,  gave  vent  to  their 
feelings  with  shouts  and  yells  and  merry  songs,  the  braying 
mules  and  lowing  cattle  joining  in  the  chorus.  The  bright 
new  captured  uniforms  of  the  Federal  officers  transformed 
our  dusty  rebel  boys  for  the  time  into  the  holiday  soldiers  of 
peaceful  days  ;  and  the  citizens  along  our  route,  though  well 
used  to  raids  and  the  passing  of  armies  through  the  country, 
gazed  on  the  scene  in  mute  astonishment,  seemingly  at  a  loss 
whether  to  stand  or  run  on  the  approach  of  the  cavalcade. 

This  was  a  severe  blow  to  Sheridan,  who,  crippled  by  the 
loss  of  his  supplies  and  fearful  of  another  attack,  fell  back 
to  his  old  position.9  (See  Reports  in  Appendix.) 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  211 

Stevenson,  in  his  History  of  the  First  New  York  (Lincoln) 
Cavalry,  referring  to  this  affair,  says : 

''The  watchful  Mosby  had  struck  Sheridan's  wag-on  train 
at  Berry ville  on  the  I3th  of  August 
and  captured  and  destroyed  nearly 
the  whole  train,  carrying  off  all  the 
baggage  of  the  cavalry  corps  and 
causing  considerable  commotion  at 
headquarters.  The  train  was  guarded 
by  Kenly's  Maryland  Brigade  of  100 
days  men  and  they  offered  but  feeble 
resistance. 

"  General   Sheridan  was    not   yet 
acquainted    with    Mosby 's    strength      <^^^f^^ 
and  tactics   and    deemed  it  prudent 

to  fall  back  from  his  advanced  posi-    BRIG,GEN.  JOHN  R.  KENLY. 
tion  to  avoid  a  repetition  of  the  raid  u.  s.  A. 

upon  his  trains." 

Encouraged  by  the  success  which  had  crowned  his  efforts. 
Mosby  determined  to  continue  his  assaults  on  Sheridan's 
lines  and  thus  cripple  his  movements.  A  number  of  small 
detachments  were  sent  out  by  Mosby  in  various  directions, 
and  their  vigilance  and  activity  is  shown  by  the  tenor  of 
the  dispatches  taken  from  the  Records  of  the  War  Depart 
ment  at  Washington.8 


8 General  Max  Webei*,  Harper's  Ferry,  Aug.  nth,  to  Captain  Parsons, 
Sheridan's  Assistant  Adjutant- General,  says  :  "  Mosby  is  already  between  Har 
per's  Ferry  and  your  command,  and  last  night  captured  and  paroled  the  Tribune 
correspondent." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Taylor,  Chief  of  Staff,  Washington,  Aug.  I2th,  to  Brig 
adier-General  Wilson  :  "  The  major  general  commanding  directs  that  you  hold 
in  readiness  a  good  and  reliable  regiment  of  your  command  to  escort  Colonel 
Chipman,  Aide-de-Camp,  bearer  of  dispatches,  to  Major-General  Sheridan." 

Chipman  to  Secretary  Stanton,  Aug.  I4th,  says  :  "  Arrive*!  this  a.  m.,  6 
o'clock,  having  marched  90  miles  in  24  hours.  Mosby's  gang  hung  on  our  flank 
between  Goose  Creek  and  Snicker's  Gap,  firing  into  our  rear  at  the  Gap." 

Captain  Harrison,  at  Martinsburg,  Aug.  I4th,  to  General  Kelley,  says:  "Sev 
eral  ot  our  scouts  here  say  they  cannot  get  through  to  Sheridan,  Mosby  having 
driven  them  back." 

Major  Waite,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  Aug.  I4th,  writing  to  Washington 
says  :  "A  number  of  squads  of  rebel  cavalry  seen  on  the  Virginia  side  to-day, 
all  along  my  line,  from  Monocacy  down  as  far  as  Great  Falls.  Think  they  are 
watching  for  stragglers  or  orderlies  with  dispatches." 

Colonel  Chipman,  Harper's  Ferry,  Aug.  i6th,  to  Secretary  Stanton  :   "  Guer- 


212  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

On  the  1 5th  of  August  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards,  while  scout 
ing  with  a  squad  of  men  on  the  turnpike  between  Charles- 
town  and  Berryville,  fell  in  with  a  party  of  Federal  Cavalry, 
consisting  of  First  Lieutenant  J.  S.  Walker,  First  U.  S. 
Cavalry  brigade  commissary,  bearer  of  dispatches,  with  an 
escort  of  5  men.  In  the  fight  which  ensued  Lieutenant 
Walker  was  killed,  and  First  Lieutenant  Philip  Dwyer,  reg 
imental  commissary,  Fifth  U.  S.  Cavalry,  wounded  and 
taken  prisoner.  Only  one  of  the  escort  escaped. 

Friday,  August  19. — Scouts  having  been  sent  in  advance, 
we  crossed  the  Shenandoah  river  at  Castleman's  Ferry.9 

rillas  infest  the  country  between  here  and  Winchester.  Trains  require  strong 
escorts.  A  little  party,  20  minutes  ahead  of  my  escort,  was  attacked  beyond 
Charlestown.  The  lieutenant  and  2  men  killed  and  6  captured  ;  I  escaped." 

Colonel  Edwards,  Aug.  i6th,  to  Major  Whittier  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report 
that  160  to  200  of  the  enemy,  accompanied  by  Mosby  himself,  and  clothed  in 
the  uniform  of  the  U.  S.  troops,  are  now  a  short  distance  to  the  left  and  rear  of 
Middletown.  One  of  the  party  has  been  within  the  limits  of  our  camps  to 
day  " 

Sheridan  to  Grant,  Aug.  1 7th  :  "  Mosby  has  annoyed  me  and  captured  a  few 
wagons.  We  hung  I  and  shot  6  of  his  men  yesterday." 

Averell  to  Stevenson,  Aug.  lyth:  "  General  Duffle's  Division  was  at  Berry 
ville  yesterday  evening ;  200  of  my  command  have  been  sent  to  communicate  with 
him,  and  to  capture,  kill  or  disperse  the  guerrillas  at  Charlestown.  They  should 
have  arrived  before  this.  I  have  also  scouts  in  that  direction.  If  they  do  not 
succeed  in  clearing  out  the  place,  I  will  send  more." 

Stevenson  to  Averell,  Aug.  lyth  :  "  Mosby  with  his  command  is  waiting  to 
attack  train  and  will  capture  it  if  possible.  The  supplies  are  needed  at  the  front 
and  should  be  put  through  by  all  means." 

Stevenson  to  Sheridan,  Harper's  Ferry,  Aug.  17th:  "  Finding  all  trains  threat 
ened  by  guerrillas,  and  that  they  are  in  force,  largely  increased  by  a  concentra 
tion  of  several  organizations  under  Mosby,  making  the  vicinity  of  Charlestown 
their  theater  of  operations,  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  only  safety  of  our  trains 
and  couriers  is  the  posting  of  a  force  at  Charlestown,  with  General  Duffie  at 
Berryville,  and  1,000  of  Averell' s  force  at  Charlestown,  with  orders  by  constant 
scouting  to  keep  the  country  clear.  I  think  we  can  send  forward  everything 
without  loss.  As  matters  now  stand,  no  small  party  of  trains  with  small  guard 
is  safe." 

'General  Sheridan's  position  at  this  time  is  thus  given  in  his  communica 
tion  to  General  Augur,  dated  Charlestown,  August  18  : 

"  The  position  of  my  troops  is  as  follows  :  4  brigades  of  cavalry  in  front, 
at  Berryville  and  well  up  toward  Winchester,  at  the  crossing  of  the  Opequon  ; 
i  division  of  cavalry  at  Summit  Point  ;  infantry  at  Clifton,  and  in  rear  of 
Clifton.  I  am  in  telegraphic  communication  with  Averell,  who  is  at  Martins- 
burg." 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


213 


Mosby  divided  his  force  as  follows :  Company  B,  under 
Capt.  A.  E.  Richards,  moving  off  in  the  direction  of  Charles- 
town  ;  Companies  C,  D  and  E,  under  Capt.  Wm.  H.  Chap 
man,  to  operate  in  the  neighborhood  of  Berryville  ;  while 
he  (Mosby)  proceeded  with  Company  A  to  the  road  be 
tween  Harper's  Ferry  and  Charlestown. 

Our  scouts,  in  their  search  for  information,  captured  a 
picket-post  of  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  near  Castleman's 
Ferry,     There  were  but  4  men 
on  post:  i  was  killed,  i  wounded 
and  the  remaining  2  captured. 

As  Captain  Chapman  moved 
on  with  his  command,  he  saw 
the  house  of  Mr.  McCormick  in 
flames,  and  McCormick  and  his 
wife,  with  fright  and  astonish 
ment,  watching  the  wanton  de- 
destruction  of  their  home  and 
powerless  to  check  or  resist 
the  brutal  incendiaries.  McCor 
mick  informed  Chapman  that 
the  house  had  been  fired  by  the 
Federal  soldiers  in  retaliation  for 
the  killing  of  the  picket.  The 
same  party  had  also  set  fire  to 
Colonel  Ware's  house. 

A  little  farther  on,  the  Ran 
gers  came  upon  another  scene 
of  incendiarism — the  residence 
of  Mrs.  Sowers.  Here  the 

women  and  little  children  were  gathered  in  a  forlorn  and 
weeping  group  in  a  corner  of  the  yard,  gazing  on  the  blazing 
pile  of  what  was  once  their  happy  home.  As  our  men  rode 
up  and  looked  upon  the  pale,  upturned,  pleading  faces  and 
met  the  looks  of  utter  despair  there  pictured,  they  felt  that 
it  would  be  mockery  to  offer  sympathy  or  express  regret, 
and  driving  their  spurs  into  their  horses,  they  dashed  on  in 
pursuit  of  the  destroyers.  On  they  went,  like  bloodhounds 
on  the  trail.  Soon  they  came  in  sight  of  the  houseburners,  who 
were  then  in  the  act  of  destroying  the  residence  of  Colonel 


JOHN  A.  SAUNDERS,  CO.  D. 


214  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

Morgan.  They  had  already  burned  the  hay,  wheat,  barn, 
etc.,  and  had  set  fire  to  the  house.  Worked  up  to  madness 
by  this  scene,  as  well  as  what  they  had  just  witnessed,  the 
Rangers  closed  in  on  the  enemy  and  neither  asked  nor  gave 
quarter.10 

(See  Mosby's  Report,  Appendix,  XI.) 

The  man  who  could  stand  within  the  glare  of  burning 
dwellings,  and  witness  unmoved  the  pitiful  spectacle  of 
pleading  mothers  with  their  frightened  little  ones  clinging 
around  them,  and  see  the  merciless  savages  who  wrought 
this  ruin  gloating  over  the  wreck  they  had  made,  and  pro 
ceeding  to  a  repetition  of  their  cruel  deeds  of  incendiarism, 
and  not  feel  an  impulse  which  would  drive  him  to  avenge 
such  savagery,  would  not  deserve  the  name  of  man.  It 
seems  hardly  credible  that  men  could  be  found  in  a  civilized 

10  The  New  York  Times,  of  Aug.  25,  1864,  in  a  letter  from  its  War  Corres 
pondent,  dated  Berry ville,  Aug.  21,  gives  the  following  account  of  this  affair: 

"  He  (General  Custer)  issued  an  order  directing  Colonel  Alger,  of  the  Fifth 
Michigan,  to  destroy  4  houses  belonging  to  well-known  secessionists,  in  retalia 
tion  for  the  men  killed,  captured  and  wounded  on  Thursday  night.  This  order 
was  promptly  carried  into  effect  by  a  detachment  of  50  men,  under  Captain 
Drake  and  Lieutenants  Allen,  Lounsberry  and  Bivvins,  who  were  particularly 
charged  to  inform  all  citizens  met  with  the  cause  for  destroying  the  property, 
The  expedition  was  accompanied  by  Dr.  Sinclair,  and  the  work  was  thoroughly 
and  effectually  done,  but  unfortunately  not  without  serious  loss  of  life.  Captain 
Drake,  leaving  the  main  part  of  the  command  under  Lieutenant  Allen  in  line  near 
one  house  which  had  been  fired,  took  a  few  men  and  proceeded  to  fire  another 
house  about  100  rods  distant.  While  thus  engaged  200  rebels  suddenly  emerged 
from  a  ravine  and  made  a  furious  charge  upon  the  force  under  Lieutenant 
Allen  before  due  preparation  could  be  made  to  receive  them. 
The  command  was  charged  while  forming  to  resist  an  attack.  The  men,  over 
whelmed  by  numbers,  broke  and  fled  in  confusion.  This  occurred  on  the  Shep- 
pard's  Mill  road,  not  far  from  the  Berryville  and  Snicker's  Gap  pike.  There 
are  numerous  stone  fences  running  at  right  angles  with  the  road  and  the  way 
open  for  retreat  was  down  the  road  which  had  been  barricaded  by  our  own 
men,  and  the  only  way  to  get  around  this  was  by  a  narrow  passage  way  through 
a  stone  wall,  at  the  side  of  the  road,  going  around  the  barricade  and  through 
the  wall  again  into  the  road.  As  only  one  horse  at  a  time  could  go  through  this 
narrow  passage  it  was  impossible  for  all  the  men  to  escape  in  that  way.  The 
enemy  were  upon  them,  and  no  mercy  being  shown,  a  majority  of  the  men 
ran  along  a  fence  running  at  right  angles  with  the  road,  hoping  to  find  another 
passage,  but  finding  none  and  reaching  a  corner,  surrendered  as  a  last  resort. 
Several  squads  were  cornered  in  this  way,  and  in  every  instance  the  men  who 
surrendered  were  killed  after  they  had  surrendered,  or  were  left  for  dead. 
*  *  *  *  * 

"  Casualties  in  the  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry  in  the  massacre,  August  19, 
1864:  Killed— Sergeant  E.  S.  Fields;  Corporals  C.  C.  Craft,  Alph.  Day; 
Privates  H.  Wittington,  John  G.  Lutz,  James  Kennicut,  Oliver  Warner,  Alfred 
A.  Henry,  Clark  Osborn,  S.  R.  Epler,  Eaton  Lewis,  Peter  Castor,  Chas.  B. 
Clyde.  Wounded— S.  D.  Eldred,  mortally  ;  Ab.  B.  Shaffer,  mortally  ;  John 
Connell,  hand  ;  Samuel  K.  Davis,  nose;  Corporal  F.  M.  Wright,  face." 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


215 


age,  so  lost  to  all  sense  of  humanity  as  to  thus  rival  the 
savage  cruelties  of  Indian  warfare.11 

As  the  killing  of  the  picket  was  made  the  pretext  for  the 
order  of  Custer  to  burn  the  houses  of  five  prominent  citi 
zens  in  that  district,  I  wrote  to  Colonel  Chapman,  who  was 
in  command  of  this  detachment  of  Mosby's  men,  in  order 
to  get  a  correct  statement  of  the  affair,  and  he  gave  me  a 
full  account,  not  only  of  the  killing 
of  the  picket,  but  also  of  the  occur 
rences  which  took  place  from  that 
time  on,  including  the  fight  at  Colonel 
Morgan's.  This  will  be  found  in  the 
Appendix. 

When  you   surprise    a    camp    you 
necessarily  begin  by  disposing  of  the 
pickets,  either  by  capture  or  killing. 
A  picket  is  a  part  of  every  army — its 
outpost,  and  as  much  an  object  of  at 
tack  as  any  other  part.      It  is  just  as 
legitimate  an  act  of  war  to    kill    an 
armed  picket  who  refuses  to  surren 
der  as  to  kill  a  soldier  in  the  full  tide 
of    battle.      In  this  case  it   was  Col. 
Chapman's  purpose  to  capture — not 
to  kiil-the  picket  in   question,   and      ]°HN 
upon  his  refusal  to  surrender,  he  was   From  photograph  taken  shortly 
killed.     He  had  the  choice  to  surren-       after  the  close  cf  the  war. 
der  or  fight. 

In  the  fight  at  Col.  Morgan's,  Chapman's  command  came 
upon  the  detachment  of  Federal  soldiers  whilst  they  were 
engaged  in  burning  one  of  the  houses,  and  attacked  them. 

11  In  reply  to  my  letter  asking  the  name  of  a  man  who  belonged  to  the  same 
company,  John  F.  (Dadge)  Lynn,  formerly  of  Mosby's  command  and  now  a 
wealthy  resident  of  Iowa,  said-  ''I  only  knew  him  as  'Larry.'  I  remember 
him  well  on  account  of  an  incident  which  took  place  in  the  Valley,  when  we 
were  on  the  track  of  the  party  who  were  burning  houses  of  citizens.  When 
we  came  to  the  house  of  Mrs.  Sowers,  where  the  house  was  in  flames;  the 
women  and  children  exposed  without  shelter  to  the  pitiless  storm;  the  out 
buildings,  barn  and  stables — all  destroyed  —  Larry,  with  that  characteristic  im 
petuosity  of  an  impulsive,  bisf-hearted  Irishman,  exclaimed  — 'Jasus,  if  that 
wouldn't  make  a  man  fight,  I  don't  know  what  would,'  and  he  dashed  on  to 
lhe  attack,  his  every  vein  and  muscle  standing  out,  showing  the  tension  that 
was  upon  us." 


2l6 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


They  formed  a  regular  line  of  battle  and  delivered  a  volley 
as  Chapman  charged  in  column.  It  would  have  been  im 
possible  for  Col.  Chapman  or  anyone  else  to  restrain  the 
men  under  the  circumstances — that  is,  with  the  scenes  of 
distress  exposed  to  their  view — especially  when  supported 
by  the  general  order  to  all  Confederate  soldiers,  that  sol 
diers  found  burning  houses  were  not  to  be  taken  prisoner, 
and  no  quarter  was  to  be  given.  This  order  was  known 
to  the  soldiers  of  both  armies,  and  the  Federal  general,  by 
giving  the  order  for  the  burning,  placed  his  soldiers  with 
out  the  protection  of  the  Military  Code. 

I  received  a  rough  sketch 
of  the  following  incident  con 
nected  with  this  encounter: 
Three  of  the  Federal  cavalry, 
being  hard  pressed,  left  the 
main  body  and  attempted  to 
make  their  escape.  Two  of 
them  jumped  a  fence  on  the 
extreme  left  and  made  their 
way  across  the  field,  pursued 
by  Wm.  W.  Patteson  of  Com 
pany  C.  Patteson's  horse  fell 
in  jumping  the  fence,  and  be 
fore  he  could  get  the  animal 
up,  the  third  trooper  attacked 
him  with  his  carbine.  Before 
WM.  w.  PATTESON,  co.  c.  the  Federal  cavalryman  could 

get  in  another  shot,  Patteson  killed  him  with  a  shot  from 
his  revolver.  The  man  carried  in  a  bundle  a  quantity  of 
silverware  and  jewelry  which  he  had  taken  from  some  of 
the  burned  dwellings. 

Mosby  recrossed  the  Shenandoah  and  again  crossed  at 
Rock  Ford.  Here  he  divided  Company  A  into  three 
parties,  one  under  Hatcher,  another  under  Wiltshire,  and 
one  he  reserved  for  himself.  All  returned  to  Fauquier, 
after  operating  on  the  Federal  outposts,  bringing  prisoners 
and  captured  horses,  without  loss  or  injury  to  themselves. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

August  and  September,  1864 — Burial  of  Lieutenant  William  Martin  — Channing  M.  Smith — Attack 
Camp  at  Annandale — Shelling  Federal  Camp — The  Federals  "Hold  the  Fort" — The 
Eighth  Illinois  Sent  Out  to  Exterminate  Guerrillas — Sheridan  Expresses  the  Hope  that 
They  Have  "  Cleaned  Out  the  Loudoun  Valley  " — Another  and  More  Formidable  Expedi 
tion  Planned—The  Eighth  Illinois  and  Sixteenth  New  York  Raid  Loudoun— Poor  Result 
Aftei  All— In  the  Valley— Chapman,  with  the  Second  Squadron,  Routs  the  Sixth  New  York 
Cavalry  near  Berry ville— Lieutenant  Palmer  Distinguishes  Himself— Jarman  and  Iden 
Killed,  and  Lieutenant  Frank  Fox  and  Clay  Adams  Mortally  Wounded— Myers1  Ford  — First 
Squadron  Surprised  by  Blazer — Wounding  of  Lieutenant  Nelson  —  Mosby  and  Richards 
Operating  in  Sheridan's  Rear—  Joseph  W.  Owen  Captures  Two  Ambulances  Loaded  with 
Federal  Infantry— Crook's  Ambulance  Train  Stampeded  by  Six  of  "  Mosby's  Men." 

Sunday,  August  21,  1864. — Lieut.  William  Martin,  of  Com 
pany  E,  was  buried  to  day  at  Upperville.  He  was  accident 
ally  shot  by  a  comrade  while  riding  along1  the  road,  the  ball 
passing  through  his  breast,  from  left  to  right.  He  was  a 
brave  young  soldier — his  daring  at  times  seeming  reckless. 
He  had  many  friends,  both  in  the  command  and  among  the 
citizens,  and  his  death  was  a  regret  to  all. 

Channing  M.  Smith  was  soon  after  chosen  as  Third  Lieu 
tenant  of  Company  E,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Lieutenant  Martin. 

Before  joining  Mosby's  command  Channing  M.  Smith  had 
served  in  Company  H,  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry.  While 
acting  as  scout,  his  gallant  conduct  had  received  the  recog 
nition  and  praise  of  both  Generals  Lee  and  Stuart,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  following  report  and  endorsement : 

HDQRS.  CAV.  CORPS,  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

April  W,  1864. 
Lieut.-Col.  W.  H.  TAYLOR,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  affair 
(petite  guerre] ,  which  occurred  in  the  operations  within  the 
enemy's  lines  near  Catlett's  Station  on  the  i6th  instant: 

Privates  Channing  M.  Smith,  Richard  Lewis,  and  Love, 
of  Company  H,  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry,  acting  as  scouts 
in  Fauquier  County,  met  and  attacked  a  party  of  5  of  the 
enemy,  killing  4,  the  other  escaping.  This  affair  reflects 
great  credit  on  the  valor  and  skill  of  the  gallant  scouts  who 
executed  it,  and  too  much  praise  cannot  be  awarded  them. 


2l8  MOSBV'S    RANGERS. 

Their  operations  serve  to  inspire  confidence  in  our  cause 
and  keep  our  enemies  in  a  state  of  constant  and  wholesome 
terror.  The  attention  of  the  commanding  general  is  called 
to  these  young  men,  who  are  continually  giving  evidence 
of  their  gallantry  and  daring  by  similar  exploits. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient 

Servant'  '  J.  E.  B.  STUART,  Major-General. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS,  April  W,  1864. 

Respectfully  forwarded  for  the  information  of  the  De 
partment. 

I  have  on  several  previous  occasions  called  the  attention 
of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  the  gallantry  of  Channing  JVL 
Smith  and  other  young  scouts  of  this  army. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

Tuesday,  Aiigust  23,  2864. — Command  met  at  Rector- 
town.  We  moved  off  at  noon  with  about  300  men  and  one 
section  of  artillery,  crossed  the  Bull  Run  Mountains  and 
pushed  on  under  cover  of  night  to  the  Federal  position  at 
Annandale.  The  fort,  occupying  the  crest  of  an  eminence, 
first  came  into  view  from  the  top  of  a  hill  about  half  a  mile 
distant,  the  intervening  space  being  a  valley  The  plan  of 
attack  was  for  the  artillery  consisting  of  one  three-inch  rifle 
and  one  six-pound  howitzer,  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Peter  A.  Franklin,  to  open  fire  while  the  cavalry  sought 
good  position  for  action. 

The  rifle  gun  took  position  on  the  hill  and  immediately 
opened  fire.  The  howitzer  advanced  with  the  cavalry, 
Capt.  Franklin  leaving  orders  for  the  rifle  to  cease  firing 
and  follow  as  soon  as  he  had  opened  with  the  howitzer  from 
the  base  of  the  hill  upon  which  the  fort  was  situated.  This 
order  was  obeyed,  driving  the  enemy  into  their  bomb- 
proofs.  The  commander  of  the  fort  could  be  heard  order 
ing  his  men  to  mount  the  breastworks.  His  orders  were 
not  obeyed. 

Capt.  Montjoy  was  sent  with  a  flag  of  truce,  demanding 
surrender.  The  reply  sounded  as  though  the  commander 
said,  "A  German  commands  this  fort  and  he  will  never  sur 
render."  Col.  Mosby  ordered  Franklin  to  set  fire  to  a 
small  building  inside  the  fort,  but  as  the  guns  were  firing 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


2I9 


at  an  angle  of  about  40  degrees  the  shells  went  over  the 
structure,  which  was  in  the  rear  and  could  not  be  seen  from 
the  position  occupied  by  the  gun.  Seeing  this  Franklin 
ordered  grape  and  shrapnel  to  be  used.  This  did  consider 
able  damage,  besides  killing  several  horses;  the  men  took 
refuge  in  the  bomb-proofs.  Lieut.  Hatcher  was  sent  with  a 
second  flag  of  truce,  again  demanding  surrender.  The  reply, 
which  could  be  distinctly  heard,  was,  ''Tell  Colonel  Mosby 
I  will  not  surrender,  and  if  he  sends  that  rag  up  here  again 

1  SCHNEIDER  to  LANSING  :  "  Inclosed  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  a  report  of 
the  repulse  of  Mosby's  forces  in  an  attack  on  the  stockade  at  Annandale,  Va. : 
Wednesday  morning,  at  13  minutes  to  5  o'clock  the  camp  was  alarmed  by  3 
shots  fired  by  the  picket  on  the  Fairfax  Court  House  road  ;  immediately  after 
which  the  rebels  who  had  taken  the  picker,  consisting  of  i  sergeant  and  3  men, 
fired  about  3  shells  into  our  camp ; 
then  a  detachment  of  about  100 
men  charged  up  toward  our  en 
trance  ;  being  received  there  by 
a  volley,  they  swerved  to  the 
south,  surrounding  the  south  and 
east  side  of  our  camp.  A  flag 
of  truce  was  sent,  demanding,  in 
Colonel  Mosby's  name,  the  sur 
render  of  our  camp.  Under 
cover  of  this  flag  of  truce  they 
advanced  their  2  pieces  (field)  to 
within  300  or  400  yards  of  our 
camp — one  on  the  southwest,  the 
other  on  the  northwest  corner. 
The  question  of  surrendering 
being  answered  in  the  negative  in 
the  most  decisive  terms,  they 
commenced  to  bombard  our  camp 
in  good  earnest,  one  piece  throw 
ing  shell,  the  other  one  grape. 
After  firing  nearly  a  dozen  more 
shots,  they  sent  another  flag  of 
truce  on  the  northwest  side, 
where  Captain  Mickels  had 
charge  of  the  defenses,  who  told  them  not  to  come  with  any  more  flags  of 
truce,  as  he  would  not  respect  them,  which  same  answer  two  bearers  of  flags 
of  truce  received  from  me  on  the  east  side  of  the  camp  during  a  tour  of  inspec 
tion  I  made  around  the  abatis.  Finding  their  persuasions,  both  in  shelling  and 
negotiating,  of  no  account,  they,  being  probably  warned  of  the  approach  of  re 
enforcements,  after  some  further  demonstrations,  sent  their  field-pieces  up  the 
Fairfax  Court  House  road,  and  then  they  themselves  slowly  retired.  I  had 
seen  about  250  or  300  men  and  had  no  means  of  ascertaining  thoir  correct 
number,  and  thought  it  only  a  feint  when  they  left  ;  therefore  I  did  not  make 


LOUIS  REARDON,  CO.  E. 


220 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


I'll  shoot  it  to  hell."     ''Don't  do  that,"  said  Hatcher,  "it's 
the  only  handkerchief  I've  got." 

All  this  time  the  Federal  commander  was  trying  to  rally 
his  men,  but  failed  to  do  so.  Mosby  meanwhile  was  search 
ing  for  an  opening  to  enter  the  fort,  but  the  entrance  was 
strongly  defended  by  the  abattis  and  Annandale  being  one 
of  the  system  of  works  protecting  the  city  of  Washington, 
it  was  known  that  reinforcements  would  be  despatched  to 
the  relief  of  the  garrison  when  the  sound  of  the  guns  was 
heard.  The  artillery  withdrew  in  the  same  manner  it  had 
advanced,  sending  the  rifle  back  to  protect  the  howitzer's 
withdrawal. 


any  demonstration  to  pursue 
them,  although  Companies  B 
and  C  had  their  horses  in 
readiness.  The  attack  lasted 
nearly  one  hour  and  a  half, 
and  they  fired  from  thirty  to 
forty  cannon  shots,  besides 
some  small -arm  practice. 
They  wounded  2  horses  of 
Company  A  and  deranged 
some  of  our  quarters  and  Com 
pany  C's  stable  (old  barn). 
The  casualties  on  the  rebel 
side,  as  far  as  we  can  learn, 
were  one  man  and  3  horses 
killed  and  3  men  wounded. 
We  also  learned  that  their 
force  was  over  400  men  when 
they  passed  the  Court  House. 
Mrs.  Tennison,  who  lives  east 
of  the  camp,  refused  the  laun 
dresses  to  come  in  her  house, 
and  told  them  'to  get  away 
from  here  into  your  camp,' 
harboring  at  the  same  time 
some  of  the  rebel  leaders  with 
whom  she  was  acquainted. 
Finally,  I  have  to  state,  that  both  officers  and  men,  with  but  very  few  excep 
tions,  behaved  splendidly 

"  N.  B.— The  re-enforcements  arrived  too  late  to  be  of  any  service  to  us,  as  it 
was  two  hours  and  ten  minutes  from  the  first  shot  to  their  arrival,  under  Major 
Horton,  Sixteenth  New  York  Volunteer  Cavalry." 


COLONEL  WILLIAM  GAMBLE  and 
MAJOR  HENRY  W.  SAWYER. 

Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
From  a  War-time  Picture. 


MOSBV  S   RANGERS.  22  I 

Although  we  failed  in  our  attempt  to  capture  the  fort, 
one  point  at  least  in  our  mission  had  been  gained:  The 
enemy  were  well  stirred  up,  as  will  be  noted  from  the 
Federal  official  reports  here  given,  and  reinforcements  for 
the  Valley  were  not  likely  to  be  taken  from  this  part  of 
the  line.1 

The  Eighth  Illinois  was  undoubtedly  at  the  time  the  best 
cavalry  regiment  in  the  Army  of  the  Po.tomac,  and  General 
Sheridan,  with  the  view  of  driving  out  Mosby,  ordered  all 
the  cavalry  of  that  regiment  to  concentrate  at  Muddy  Branch 
to  operate  in  Loudoun  and — as  he  stated  in  his  orders  to 
General  Augur — "  exterminate  as  many  of  Mosby 's  gang  as 
they  can." 

On  the  2oth  of  August  they  left  their  camp  at  Muddy 
Branch  and  crossed  the  Potomac  with  650  men,  the  special 
object  of  the  scout  being,  as  stated  in  orders  to  Major  Waite, 
"  to  break  up  and  exterminate  any  bands  or  parties  of  M  osby 's, 
White's  or  other  guerrillas  which  may  be  met."  They 
marched  up  through  Aldie,  Middleburg  and  Upperville  to 
Snicker's  Gap,  thence  to  the  Potomac,  and  back  to  their 
camp.  On  their  way  they  picked  up  and  carried  off  a  num 
ber  of  citizens  ;  at  Upperville,  among  others,  Rev.  Mr.  Harris 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Gallagher  and  Geo.  Brown.  This  was  in  accord 
ance  with  the  instructions  of  General  Grant  to  Sheridan.2 

LANSING  to  LYELL,  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  at  Levvinsville  : 
"Another  attempt  will  doubtless  be  made  somewhere  along  our  line,  eithei' 
during  the  day  or  to-night.  The  point  selected  will  probably  be  at  your  stockade. 
The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  tell  you  to  caution  your  pickets  and  your 
men  to  be  on  the  alert,  and  assure  yourself  that  they  are,  especially  toward  day 
break  to-morrow,  should  an  attack  not  come  sooner.  Keep  2  horses  saddled  in 
the  stockade  all  the  day  and  to-night,  and  in  case  of  an  attack  let  us  know  here 
at  once  by  sending  out  two  in  different  directions.  This  will  make  sure  of  one 
of  your  messengers  reaching  us.  Colonel  Lazelle  directs  you  not  to  surrender 
your  command  under  any  consideration  or  emergency." 

2  GRANT  to  SHERIDAN,  Aug.  16,  1864  :  "  If  you  can  possibly  spare  a  division 
of  cavalry,  send  them  through  Loudoun  County  to  destroy  and  carry  off  the 
crops,  animals,  negroes  and  all  men  under  fifty  years  of  age  capable  of  bearing 
arms.  In  this  way  you  will  get  many  of  Mosby's  men.  All  male  citizens 
under  fifty  can  fairly  be  held  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  not  as  citizen  prisoners. 
If  not  already  soldiers,  they  will  be  made  so  the  moment  the  rebel  army  gets 
hold  of  them." 


222  MOSBV  S    RANGERS. 

On  the  return  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  to  its  camp,  General 
Sheridan,  in  a  communication  to  General  Augur,  August 
24th,  expresses  the  hope  that "  the  Eighth  Illinois  has  cleaned 
out  the  Loudoun  Valley."  Yet  this  fond  hope  was  not  real 
ized,  and  another  and  more  formidable  expedition  was 
planned.  The  Eighth  Illinois  was  to  start  from  its  camp 
at  Muddy  Branch,  August  29th,  to  be  joined  at  Aldie  by  the 
Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  from  Fairfax,  and  "  move 
rapidly  on  Upperville  and  Middleburg,  surprising  any  force 
of  guerrillas  lurking  in  that  vicinity."  They  were  to  arrest 
and  bring  in  all  males  between  the  ages  of  1 8  and  50  ;  impress 
all  wagons  and  bring  them  in  loaded  with  forage  ;  destroy 
all  hay,  oats,  corn  and  wheat  they  could  not  bring  in,  and 
seize  all  horses.  Attention  was  also  called  to  "  Mosby's 
headquarters."3 

The  result,   however,  was  summed   up  in  the   following 


3  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  WASHINGTON, 

220  ARMY  CORPS. 

TAYLOR  to  WAITE  :  "  The  major  general  commanding  directs  that  you  move 
August  2gth  with  your  regiment,  leaving  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river  only  your 
camp  guard  and  the  detachment  protecting  the  telegraph  station  at  Darnestown. 
Your  march  will  be  via  Aldie,  and  so  timed  that  you  reach  that  place  before 
12  m.,  August  30.  At  Aldie  you  will  meet  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry, 
commanded  by  Major  Horton,  who  will  report  to  you.  Assuming  command  of 
the  two  regiments,  you  will  move  rapidly  on  Upperville  and  Middleburg,  sur 
prising  any  force  of  guerrillas  lurking  in  that  vicinity.  The  special  object  of 
your  scout  is  to  destroy,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  sources  from  which  Mosby 
draws  men,  horses  and  support.  To  this  end  you  will  arrest  and  bring  in  all 
males  capable  of  bearing  arms  or  conveying  information,  between  the  ages  of 
eighteen  and  fifty,  excepting  those  mentioned  in  the  enclosed  list;  impress  all 
wagons  and  bring  them  in  loaded  with  forage;  destroy  all  crops  of  hay,  oats, 
corn  and  wheat  which  you  cannot  bring  in,  and  seize  all  horses.  When  horses 
are  taken  from  Union  men,  make  memoranda  to  that  effect,  in  order  that  the 
horses  may  be  identified  or  the  owners  indemnified.  Collect  all  information 
within  reach  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy  and  embrace  it  in  your  report;  any 
which  you  may  regard  as  of  great  importance  should  be  sent  in  by  a  small 
party  of  trusted  men.  Mosby's  headquarters  are  reported  as  alternating  between 
the  houses  of  Mr.  Blackwell  and  Mr.  Turner,  near  Upperville,  Middleburg,  and 
their  vicinity.  On  your  return  it  is  desired  that  you  come  in  by  the  way  of  Falls 
Church.  After  the  rations  you  carry  for  men  and  animals  are  exhausted, 
live  on  the  country.  Inclosed  find  memorandum  for  guidance  in  particular 
cases.  Report  departure  and  effective  strength.  The  necessary  instructions 
have  been  given  Major  Horton." 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  223 

brief  communication  from  General  Augur  to  General  Sher 
idan,  September  i,  1864: 

"  Major  Waite  has  returned  from  Upperville,  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  Snicker's  Gap  ;  reports  no  rebel  forces  in  that  vicinity 
except  Mosby's.  He  brought  in  30  men  and  30  horses,  and 
destroyed  a  good  deal  of  property.  No  wagons  can  be 
found  to  bring  off  supplies  in  any  quantity." 

Saturday,  September  3. — Command  met  at  Rectortown. 
Mosby  divided  his  force,  reserving  the  First  Squadron  for 
himself,  while  the  Second  Squadron,  under  Capt.  Wm.  H. 
Chapman,  moved  off  through  Ashby's  Gap  and  halted  for 
the  night  near  Shepherd's  Mill.  John  Russell  was  sent  on 
a  scout  to  Berryville,  from  which 
place  he  returned  before  midnight 

with  the  report  that  a  heavy  force  j^^SStt^ 

of  Federal  cavalry  had  passed 
through  Berryville,  going  towards 
Front  Royal.  Chapman  deter 
mined  to  follow  them  up,  not  know 
ing  that  the  Federals  had  met  with 
a  repulse  and  that  Anderson  with 
Kershaw's  division  had  driven  them 
back.4 

As    Chapman    approached     the 
pike  a  short  distance  above  Berry-  -.^f. 

ville,  he  saw  a  cavalry  skirmish  line    U£UT  w  BEN  pALMER>  CQ  £ 

along    the    top  Of    a  hill  in  hlS  front.      From  a  Painting  made  during  the  War. 

The  country  was  rolling  and  the 

main  body  was  completely  shut  out  from  view.  Captains  Wm. 

H.  and  Samuel  Chapman,  with  Company  C,  moved  off  to  the 

4  It  was  decided  that  Anderson  must  return  to  Winchester,  and  start  for 
the  Blue  Ridge  again  by  a  more  southerly  road,  carrying  him  past  the  Union 
left.  Early  therefore  withdrew  his  whole  army  across  the  Opequon — after  a 
spirited  skirmish  at  Berryville,  in  which  Torbert,  returning  from  the  left,  was 
involved — Anderson's  trains  going  first.  The  Eighth  Corps  had  that  morning 
been  ordered  to  fall  back  to  Clifton  ;  and  five  days  after,  with  Custer's  and 
Lowell's  brigades  of  Merritt's  division,  it  was  sent  across  to  Summit  Point,  to 
assure  the  right  flank  and  the  communications  with  Harper's  Ferry.  Crook's 
ambulance  train,  during  these  operations,  was,  in  Sheridan's  language,  "at 
tacked  and  badly  stampeded  by  six  of  Mosby's  Men." — The  Shenandoah  Valley 
in  1864.  By  George  E.  Pond.  New  York:  Charles  Scribner's  Sons,  1883. 


224 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


right,  iii  order  to  see  what  force  there  was  behind  the  hill,  leav 
ing  Lieutenant  Palmer,  with  Company  E,  in  a  little  lane  facing 
the  skirmishers.  Captain  Chapman  told  Lieutenant  Palmer 
to  remain  where  he  was  and  await  orders,  whilst  he  went  off 
some  distance,  but  still  keeping  in  sight.  He  soon  sent  back 
Frank  Angelo  to  Palmer  with  orders  to  charge  the  skirmish 
line,  as  well  as  the  regiment  on  the  other  side  of  the  hill ; 
that  he  (Chapman)  would  charge  down  the  pike  at  the  same 
time.  Palmer  quickly  led  his  men  through  the  lane,  at  the 
end  of.  which  was  a  closed  gate.  He  ordered  Robt.  Jarman 
to  get  down  and  open  the  gate.  As  Jarman  attempted  to 
swing  back  the  gate  he  was  killed  by  a  shot  from  one  of  the 

skirmishers  in  front.  Palmer 
then  ordered  Ben.  I  den  to  dis 
mount  and  open  the  gate ;  he 

^MH^^  met  the  same  fate  as  Jarman. 

j^HHlfl  A  third  man    was   ordered  to 

^RlMfe          open  the  gate,  but  he  hesitated. 

H^:,-J5»  As  there  was  no  time  for  delay, 

Palmer  sprang  from  his  horse, 
threw  open  the  gate,  and, 
quickly  remounting,  led  Com 
pany  E  over  the  hill,  driving  in 
the  skirmish  line  and  charging 
the  regiment,  which  proved  to 
be  the  Sixth  New  York.  Cap 
tain  Chapman  came  ^up  at  the 
same  time  with  Company  C, 
and  the  Federals,  who  were 
marching  in  a  column  of  fours, 
had  no  time  to  reform  before 
they  were  attacked.  Their  com 
mander  called  out  to  his  men  : 

"  Fall  back  to  the  woods  and  we  will  give  them  hell  there !  " 
They  retreated  toward  the  woods  and  attempted  to  rally, 
but  Chapman  and  Palmer  pushed  them  so  hard  that  they 
broke  and  fled  in  disorder.  They  were  pursued  for  a  mile, 
having  a  number  killed  and  wounded  ;  30  prisoners  and  38 
horses,  with  equipments,  were  captured.  Our  loss  was  Jar- 


LIEUT.  FRANK.  FOX,  CO    C. 

Mortally  wounded  September  3,  1864,  in  a 

fight  with  the  Sixth  New  York  Cavalry. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  in  the  early 

part  of  the  War. 


MOSBV  S    KANCiKRS. 


225 


EDWARD  (BUB)  SHACKLETT. 

CO.  C. 
From  a  war-time  picture. 


man  and  Iden,  killed ;  Lieut.  Frank  Fox  and  Clay  Adams, 

mortally  wounded,   and   several 

others  slightly  wounded. 

Lieut.  Frank  Fox,  of  Fairfax, 

was  wounded  in  the  arm  and  his 

horse  carried  him  into  the  ranks 

of    the    enemy,    where    he    was 

taken   prisoner    and    carried    to 

Harper's  Ferry.      His  arm  was 

amputated,   and    he    died    some 

days  after  at  Sandy  Hook.     He 

was  not  only  a  brave  officer,  but 

his  genial  nature  had  won  him 

many  friends       His  loss  was 

deeply  felt  by  all. 

Clay  Adams,  being  deaf,  was 

exempt  from  military  duty,  but 

he  entered    the    service    and 

proved  a  brave  and  faithful  soldier.      He  was  shot  through 

the  body  and  had  his 
lower  limbs  paralyzed. 
John  Russell  and  a  few 
companions  went  over 
the  river  at  night  and 
brought  him  to  the 
house  of  his  father,  at 
Paris  (near  Ashby's 
Gap),  Avhere  he  lingered 
for  some  months,  when 
death  came  to  his  relief. 
General  Torbert's 
cavalry  came  in  sight 
before  the  fi^ht  was 

o 

fairly  over,  but  a  few 
shells  from  Anderson's 
batteries  sent  them 
scampering  off. 

We  will  now  re 
turn  to  Mosby.  After 
leaving  Rectortown 

MAJ.-GEN.  ALLIED  T.  A.  TUKuEKT.  U.S.A. 


226  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

with  tKe  First  Squadron,  numbering  about  90  men,  he  had 
proceeded  by  way  of  Bloomfield  to  Snicker's  Gap.  A  heavy 
rain  came  up,  which  lasted  all  night,  and,  the  road  being 
rough,  we  traveled  slowlv  and  halted  on  the  top  of  the 
mountain,  where  we  lay  until  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the 
4th,  and  then  moved  off  to  Myer's  Ford,  on  the  Shenandoah. 
Mosby,  with  15  men,  crossed  the  river  on  a  scout,  leaving 
the  squadron,  under  Lieutenant  Nelson,  in  a  piece  of  woods 
near  the  Ford.  Captain  Richards,  taking  a  few  men,  also 
crossed,  but  learning  that  a  Federal  scouting  party  was  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river,  he  recrossed,  and,  taking  Company 
B,  started  in  pursuit.  He  followed  the  trail  until  it  crossed 
our  track  of  the  previous  night,  when  they  turned  and 
crossed  the  river.  Thinking  the  Federals  had  all  returned  to 
the  Valley,  Richards  sent  back  Company  B  to  Nelson  and 
started  off  with  5  or  6  men  on  a  scout  toward  Rippon. 

i  had  been  on  picket  at  the  Ford,  and  when  relieved  re 
joined  the  command  in  the  woods,  took  off  my  bridle,  loos 
ened  the  saddle  girth,  and,  haltering  my  horse  to  a  tree,  with 
a  bunch  of  fodder  before  him,  lay  down  to  sleep  beside  him. 
I  did  not  imagine  there  was  an  enemy  on  our  side  of  the 
river  and  thought  the  only  danger  would  be  from  the  other 
side,  at  the  Ford,  where  I  had  been  stationed,  and  of  which 
our  pickets  could  give  us  ample  warning. 

I  was  suddenly  awakened  by  the  report  of  firearms  and 
saw  our  men  rushing  to  their  horses.  Looking  out  into  the 
open  ground  from  the  woods,  I  saw  Lieutenant  Nelson,  of 
Company  A,  and  Sergeant  Horace  Johnson,5  of  Company  B, 
rallying  the  men,  while  a  body  of  Federal  cavalry  was  charg 
ing  around  the  point  of  woods.  For  a  second  1  hesitated 
whether  to  mount  my  horse  as  he  was  or  to  put  on  the  bridle, 
but  soon  decided.  Hastily  putting  on  my  bridle,  I  sprang  into 
the  saddle^nd  as  I  did  so  felt  a  crushing  blow  in  my  right  side, 
which  for  the  moment  deprived  me  of  breath.  The  ball  was 

5  Horace  Johnson  first  served  in  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry,  but  afterwards 
joined  Mosby  and  was  made  Sergeant  of  Company  B.  He  died  at  his  resi 
dence,  near  Remington,  Virginia,  on  the  2Othof  October,  1894,  in  the  73d  year 
of  his  age,  and  his  body  was  borne  to  its  last  resting-place  by  his  old  comrades 
of  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry. 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


227 


partly  spent,  and  must  have  been  fired  by  some  one  far  in 
the  rear  of  a  party  who  were  then  advancing  through  the 
woods.  It  passed  through  my  jacket  and,  striking  the  ribs, 
glanced  off.  Wm.  Walston,  who  was  beside  me,  said  :  "  Are 
you  much  hurt?"  Just  at  the  time  I  could  hot  speak,  but 
after  catching  my  breath,  said:  "  I  don't  think  it  is  much." 
Looking  around,  I  saw  a  body  of  our  men  running  down  hill 
towards  a  gap  in  the  fence, 
closely  followed  by  the  enemy, 
who  were  firing  on  them. 

Seeing  our  men  were  com 
pletely  demoralized  and  flee 
ing  in  all  directions,  our  only 
alternative  was  to  get  out  as 
best  we  could,  so,  both  being 
well  mounted,  we  rode  down 
with  a  pack  of  blue  coats  at 
our  heels,  and  leaping  the 
fence  to  the  left  of  the  gap, 
were  soon  making  our  way 
across  the  field,  while  our  pur 
suers  turned  and  rode  through 
the  gap.  This  lengthened  the 
distance  between  us,  yet  they 
kept  on  our  track,  yelling  and 
shooting.  The  bullets  whis 
tled  sharply  in  our  ears,  but 
this  only  urged  our  horses 
to  redoubled  speed.  "  Hold 
on  to  old  Bob,"  said  Walston,  "  and  he  will  bring  you  out 
all  right."  After  we  had  cleared  a  second  fence,  our  pur 
suers  again  turning  off  to  go  through  an  opening,  we  felt 
ourselves  comparatively  safe. 

We  afterwards  learned  the  attacking  party  was  Captain 
Blazer's  Independent  Scouts.6  He  had  been  informed  that 
we  were  at  the  ford,  and  came  upon  us  unawares.  Lieu 
tenant  Nelson  and  a  few  men,  who  were  first  in  their  saddles, 


WM.  R.  STONE,  CO    A. 

Wounded  at  Myer's  Ford,  Sept  4,  1864. 

From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


See  Blazer's  Reports  in  Appendix. 


228  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

met  his  advance  and  drove  them  back  ;  but  he  renewed  his 
assault,  at  the  same  time  sending  a  party  of  dismounted  men 
through  the  woods  with  their  seven-shooters  to  fire  on  our 
men  exposed  in  the  open  field.  This,  together  with  the 
wounding  of  Lieutenant  Nelson,  who  was  in  command,  threw 
us  in  such  confusion  that  it  was  impossible  to  rally  the  men. 
They  gave  way  and  scattered,  each  one  to  save  himself  as 
best  he  could.  Our  loss  was :  McKim,  who  broke  his  neck  ; 
Mallory,  mortally  wounded  ;  Lieutenant  Nelson,  Com 
pany  A,  and  Frank  M.  Woolf,  William  S.  Flynn,  W.  R.  Stone, 
F.  M.  Yates,  wounded,  and  5  captured,  among  them  Geo. 
Skinner  and  Richard  Moran.  Although  the  affair  resulted  in 
favor  of  Blazer,  his  loss  was,  except  in  prisoners,  as  heavy 
as  our  own. 

William  R.  Stone  was  struck  on  the  head  with  a  carbine  and 
left  for  dead  on  the  field.  After  recovering  conscious 
ness,  he  went  off  toward  the  river  to  wash  the  blood  from  his 
face.  On  his  way  he  met  Yates,  who  was  wounded  and  had 
also  been  left  for  dead.  As  the  two  reached  the  river,  they 
found  one  of  our  men  lying  with  his  head  resting  on  some 
alders,  which  kept  his  face  out  of  water,  with  his  feet  on  the 
bank.  They  pulled  him  out,  and,  making  a  rude  litter,  car 
ried  him  to  a  house  near  by,  where  they  left  him  and  pro 
ceeded  to  a  place  of  safety.  This  will  probably  account  for 
three  of  our  men  among  the  list  of  killed  reported  by  Blazer. 

When  Mosby  reached  the  turnpike  in  Sheridan's  rear,  he 
found  trains  and  ambulances  moving  along  with  but  fe\v 
men  to  guard  them,  and,  thinking  it  a  good  field  to  operate  in, 
sent  Harry  Heaton  and  Captain  Kennon  to  Myer's  Ford  to 
bring  up  Nelson  with  his  squadron.  In  the  meantime,  conceal 
ing  his  men  in  the  woods,  Mosby  went  out  on  the  turnpike 
with  Joseph  W.  Owen  to  reconnoiter.  On  reaching  the  pike, 
they  saw  two  cavalrymen  riding  along  toward  them,  who  sur 
rendered  on  demand.  An  ambulance  was  now  observed  com 
ing  down  the  pike,  and  Mosby,  taking  charge  of  the  two 
prisoners,  told  Owen  to  bring  in  the  ambulance.  On  nearer 
approach,  Owen  saw  it  was  filled  with  infantry,  their  guns 
resting  between  their  knees.  He  rode  back  to  Mosby,  say 
ing  he  thought  they  were  too  strong  for  him.  "  Try  them," 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


229 


said  Mosby.  Owen  again  rode  out,  whistling-  one  of  the 
airs  then  popular  among  the  soldiers,  and  as  they  came  up, 
presented  his  pistol  and  called  on  them  to  surrender.  They 
appeared  astonished  and  hesitated. 

"  Talk  it  out  quick,"  said  Owen,  "  or  I  will  open  on  you." 

A  voice  replied :  "  I  surrender,  sir." 

"  What  do  you  all  say  in  the  wagon  ?  "  asked  Owen. 

"  We  surrender ;  we  surrender,"  came  a  chorus  of  voices 
from  the  inside. 

Owen  then  told  one  man  to  get  out,  the  others  to  hand 
their  guns  out  one  at  a  time,  and  made  the  man  bend  them 
over  the  stone  fence  and  drop  them  on  the  other  side,  he 
keeping  the  party  covered  with  his  pistol. 

He  then  made  the  driver  take  the  ambulance  and 
prisoners  to  the  woods,  where  he  told  Mosby  to  take  them 
quickly  ;  that  he  saw  another 

ambulance  about  half  a  mile       p— ••-  n 

distant.  As  he  had  taken  the 
first  so  easily,  it  encouraged 
him  to  attempt  the  capture 
of  the  second.  He  rode  up 
laughing,  as  he  called  on 
them  to  surrender,  and  they 
seemed  to  regard  it  as  a  joke, 
for  they,  too,  laughed  as  they 
gave  up  their  arms  and  joined 
their  fellow  prisoners. 

There  were  14  prisoners 
in  all,  among  them  one 
gaudily  dressed  lady,  who 
said  she  had  married  General 
Banks'  Corps  Commissary, 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  six 
months  before.  She  was 
much  frightened,  drew  out 
her  purse,  and  told  Owen  to  take  all  she  had,  if  he  would 
only  release  her. 

"  I  do  not  rob  women,"  said  Owen. 

There    was    also    a    boy    riding    a    cream-colored  horse 


JOSEPH  W.  OWEN,  CO.  B. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  when  a  Member  of 

Mosby 's  Command. 


230  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

and  carrying  the  United  States  mail,  accompanying  the 
ambulance. 

Mosby  sent  off  his  prisoners  with  the  2  ambulances  and  7 
captured  horses  under  guard,  in  charge  of  Owen.  In  cross 
ing  the  mountain,  one  of  the  ambulances  upset,  and  one  of 
the  prisoners  broke  his  neck ;  another  escaped  in  the  dark 
ness. 

Mosby's  force  was  now  reduced  to  5  or  6  men.  While  wait 
ing  for  the  squadron  to  come  up,  a  train  of  ambulances  ap 
proached.  The  temptation  was  too  strong  to  resist,  and 
Mosby,  with  his  few  men,  made  a  dash,  which  not  only  threw 
the  train  into  confusion,  but  also  spread  consternation  in  a 
large  train  parked  near  by.  While  Mosby's  men  were  in 
dustriously  unhitching  teams,  a  body  of  Federal  cavalry 
came  up,  and  Mosby  was  driven  off,  after  securing  13 
horses.7 

Captain  Richards  found  the  road  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Rippon  in  the  same  unprotected  condition  that  Mosby  dis 
covered  lower  down,  and  after  capturing  a  few  prisoners  and 
mules,  trotted  off  to  Myer's  Ford  to  bring  up  Companies  A 
and  B,  but  when,  he  reached  the  Shenandoah  and  learned  of 
Nelson's  surprise,  he  returned  to  Fauquier. 

7  SHERIDAN  to  HALLECK,  Sept.  8th  :  "There  is  no  truth  in  the  newspaper 
report  of  the  loss  of  Crook's  ambulance  train.  Only  one  ambulance  was  lost 
and  some  12  or  13  horses.  The  train  was  attacked  and  badly  stampeded  by  6  of 
Mosby's  men" 

Brigadier-General  WILSON  to  Captain  RENO,  Chief  of  Staff,  Sept.  5,  1864  : 
"  I  have  investigated  the  matter  of  the  stampede  in  the  wagon  train  yesterday 
and  find  the  facts  to  be  as  follows  : 

"  The  train  had  been  parked  properly  and  the  guards  posted  in  the  most  ad 
vantageous  manner,  when  doctors,  ambulance  men  and  others  from  General 
Crooks'  ambulance  train,  then  a  mile  and  a  half  nearer  Kabletown,  dashed  into  the 
park  of  our  train  with  the  report  that  Mosby  had  taken  their  train  or  attacked  it. 
This  spread  through  our  train  and  before  anything  could  be  done  the  whole 
thing  was  in  confusion.  It  was,  however,  promptly  suppressed  and  without 
communicating  it  in  any  way  to  the  troops.  Captain  Hull,  commanding 
Second  New  York,  was  prompt  and  vigorous;  went  to  the  assistance  of  General 
.Crooks'  train  and  rescued  5  ambulances.  Two  wagons  and  3  ambulances  are 
there  yet  deserted.  The  affair  was  disgraceful,  but  not  to  the  troops  or  officers 
in  charge  of  the  train,  they  having  done  all  in  their  power  to  correct  the  evil." 


CHAPTER  XVII.  y 

September,  1864 — Company  F  Organized— John  Russell's  Attempt  to  Capture  General  Sheridan — 
Mosby  in  Fairfax— Enters  Camp  near  Falls  Church— Mosby  Again  Wounded,  but  Brought 
Out  Safely— Colonel  Gansevoort's  Report  of  his  Scout  in  Search  of  Mosby— General 
Chapman's  Raid— Chapman  vs.  Chapman— Skirmish  in  Snicker's  Gap  and  Recapture 
of  Prisoners— Captain  William  Chapman  in  the  Valley— With  Lieutenant  Fray,  Ed.  Hurst 
and  a  Few  Other  Bold  Rangers  Makes  a  Series  of  Captures— "  Gobbles  Up"  a  Squad  of 
Federal  Officers  and  Gathers  in  Sutlers. 

Tuesday,  September  13 . — Company  F  organized,  at  Pied 
mont,  by  electing  Walter  E.  Frankland,  Captain ;  Walter 
Bowie,  First  Lieutenant;  James  F,  Ames  (Big,  Yankee), 
Second  Lieutenant ;  and  Frank  Turner,  Third  Lieutenant. 

Captain  Frankland  in  his  reminiscences  of  his  early  days 
with  Mosby  in  Chapter  II.,  has  omitted  to  mention  an  inci 
dent  which  occurred  about  April  5,  1863,  when  he,  with 
Tom  Turner  and  W.  L.  Hunter,  were  surprised  at  Charles 
Utterback's,  near  Warrenton.  Turner  attempted  to  fight 
his  way  out,  but  was  mortally  wounded  and  carried  to 
Kinloch,  the  residence  of  his  father,  near  The  Plains,  where 
he  died.  Hunter  and  Frankland  were  captured  and  Carried 
to  General  Davis's  headquarters  at  Payne's  farnv  where 
Frankland  was  compelled  to  "walk  a  circle  "  for  hours  be 
cause  he  refused  to  betray  Mosby.  He  was  exchanged  and 
again  captured  within  a  month  ;  again  exchanged  and  back 
to  his  command  and  on  duty — all  in  less  than  three  months. 

In  Company  C,  John  S.  Russell  was  elected  Third  Lieu 
tenant  to  fill  a  vacancy. 

Lieutenant  Russell  was  not  21  years  of  age.  He  joined 
the  command  when  only  19,  but  having  a  thorough  knowl 
edge  of  the  Valley  section,  had  acted  as  guide  and  scout  for 
Mosby.  He  was  bold  and  shrewd,  and  in  the  performance 
of  his  duty  had  many  exciting  adventures  and  narrow 
escapes. 

On  one  occasion,  when  General  Sheridan  was  at  the  house 
of  Haight  Willis,  in  Jefferson  County,  Russell  with  6  men, 
well  mounted,  and  a  spare  saddle  horse,  undertook  to  cap 
ture  the  General.  Sheridan  was  in  the  house  with  two  of 

231 


232 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


his  officers,  having  a  sentinel  at  the  front  gate  and  another 
at  the  rear  of  the  house.  Russell's  plan  was  to  take  the 
sentinel  quietly  from  his  post,  and  then,  while  two  of  his 
companions  covered  the  two  officers  with  their  pistols,  three 
of  the  Rangers  were  to  take  Sheridan  out,  mount  him  on 
the  spare  horse  and  ride  off  as  quickly  as  possible.  They 
crept  stealthily  out  of  the  thicket,  but  one  of  the  men,  being 
too  hasty,  advanced  on  the  soldier  when  he  should  have 
waited  until  his  back  was  turned,  and  was  challenged. 
When  he  attempted  to  seize  the  trooper's  carbine  the  man 

r-.T •—- ^,    pulled  the  trigger  and  the  report 
^^^  brought  a  score  of  cavalrymen  of 

Sheridan's  escort  to  the  scene  and 
Russell  and  his  party  scampered 
off,  with  bullets  whistling  around 
them.  They  were  well  acquainted 
with  the  country,  however,  and 
once  under  cover  had  no  difficulty 
in  making  their  escape. 

After  the  election,  several  de 
tachments  were  sent  out ;  one, 
under  Lieutenant  Russell,  going  to 
the  Valley,  while  Mosby  took  out  a 
party  for  a  scout  in  Fairfax. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Falls 
Church,  Mosby  thought  to  capture 
a  quartermaster's  establishment. 

While  reconnoitering  the  camp  with  two  men,  he  discovered 
a  butcher  sleeping  beside  a  beef  he  had  killed.  The  man  was 
brought  out,  with  his  horse,  in  spite  of  his  vigorous  protest 
against  what  he  thought  was  a  joke  played  on  him  by  some  of 
the  "  funny  boys  "  in  camp.  The  camp  being  poorly  guarded, 
Mosby  sent  a  party  to  bring  out  a  number  of  horses,  but 
before  this  could  be  accomplished  the  camp  was  alarmed 
and  the  attempt  was  abandoned.1  Mosby  then  sent  all  the 

1  LAZELLE  to  TAYLOR,  Sept.  isth  ;  "  I  omitted  to  state  in  last  evening's  report 
that  a  party  of  8  guerrillas  had  found  its  way  night  before  last  into  the  slaughter 
yard  attached  to  the  brigade  commissary  department,  carrying  off  with  them 
one  man  and  one  horse." 


LIEUT.  JOHN  S.   RUSSELL, 

CO.  C. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  233 

men  back  to  Fauquier,  with  the  exception  of  Guy  Broad- 
water  and  Thomas  Love. 

The  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry  was  at  this  time  re 
turning  from  a  scout  to  Aldie  in  search  of  Mosby,  and 
Colonel  Gansevoort  learning  that  Mosby  was  in  the  vicinity, 
endeavored  to  intercept  him  on  his  way  homeward.  Mosby 
and  his  two  companions  came  upon  five  of  the  men  who  had 
been  selected  for  the  duty  of  taking  him.  Mosby  was  rec 
ognized  by  the  Federal  cavalrymen,  being  in  full  uniform, 
as  he  always  appeared  when  on  duty,  and  made  a  shining 
mark.  Being  within  a  few  yards  of  each  other,  all  fired  at 
the  same  time.  One  ball  shattered  the  handle  of  Mosby 's 
pistol  and  another  entered  his  groin.  He  was  able  to  keep 
his  saddle  and  ride,  with  difficulty,  until  his  companions  pro 
cured  a  light  wagon  to  carry  him  off.  Two  horses  belong 
ing  to  the  Federals  were  killed  at  the  first  fire  and  fell  with 
their  riders  under  them.  The  other  three  Federals  fled, 
pursued  by  Love  and  Broadwater  until  they  were  called 
back  to  assist  their  wounded  commander.  2 

Mosby  was  taken  to  The  Plains,  where  he  was  kindly  cared 
for  by  the  family  of  Major  Foster  until  he  could  be  removed 
to  Lynchburg.  3 

2  LAZELLE  to  TAYLOR,  Sept.  22d  :  "  I  herewith  inclose  an  extract  from  the 
report  of  Colonel  Gansevoort,  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  referring  to  a  fight 
between  Mosby  and  a  small  party  detached  from  his  main  column  on  the  last 
scout  of  the  regiment.  Not  much  confidence  was  placed  in  the  report  at  the 
time  of  its  receipt,  but  I  now  consider  it  certain  that  Mosby  was  really  wounded 
in  this  fight  in  the  groin  and  cheek,  and  I  deem  it  just  that  the  Thirteenth 
Regiment  should  have  the  credit  attached  to  the  affair.  Private  Henry  Smith, 
of  Company  H,  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  is  the  man  who  wounded  him." 


3  HEADQUARTERS  THIRTEENTH  NEW  YORK  CAVALRY, 

Near  Falls  Church,   Va.,  Sept.  15th,  1864. 

GANSEVOORT  to  LANSING  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  according  to 
orders  from  headquarters  cavalry  brigade,  a  portion  of  the  regiment,  numbering 
210  dismounted  and  63  mounted  men,  including  the  brigade  scouts,  moved, 
under  my  command,  on  scout  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  September,  1864.  The 
column  crossed  Fox  Ford,  on  Difficult  Run,  on  the  morning  of  the  gth  of  Sep 
tember,  after  a  march  of  13  miles,  in  which  vicinity  it  encamped.  At  night 
fall  of  the  gth  of  September  it  moved  12  miles  to  the  vicinity  of  Coleman's,  near 
Horse  Pen  Run,  and  during  the  night  of  the  loth  of  S -ptember  bivouacked, 
after  a  march  of  five  miles,  on  the  road  to  Good  Hope  Church,  near  Broad  Run, 


234  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Thursday,  September  75.-Gen.  Geo.  H.  Chapman,  with  about 
400  men  of  the  Third  Indiana  and  Eighth  New  York  Cavalry, 
raided  along  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains  from  Snickersville 
to  Paris.  On  their  route  they  killed  sheep,  poultry,  etc., 
and  carried  off  a  number  of  men  and  horses ;  passing  on 
through  to  Upperville  and  back  to  Snickersville,  where  the 
main  body  halted  and  a  squadron  of  the  Eighth  New  York 
Cavalry,  numbering  about  60  men,  was  sent  on  ahead  into 
the  Gap  with  prisoners  and  captured  horses. 

its  farther  progress  being  delayed  by  a  severe  storm.  On  the  night  of  the  nth 
of  September  the  column  encamped  beyond  Red  Hill,  after  a  march  of  10 
miles,  and  reached  one  mile  and  a  half  of  Aldie,  at  a  covered  point  at  the  inter 
section  of  the  Aldie  pike  and  the  Carolina  road,  on  the  night  of  the  I2th  of 
September.  Here  the  command  was  concealed,  and  at  daybreak  of  the  i3th  of 
September  the  town  was  entered  by  the  mounted  men,  the  roads  in  the  vicinity 
having  been  ambuscaded  during  a  portion  of  the  night.  Nothing  was,  how 
ever,  accomplished.  Information  having  been  gained  that  Mosby,  with  a  force, 
had  gone  down  the  Aldie  pike  the  night  of,  but  before,  the  arrival  of  the  column 
at  Aldie,  it  was  deemed  best  to  move  after  him.  The  column  reached  Chantilly 
after  a  march  of  16  miles,  and  encamped  on  the  night  of  the  I4th,  ambuscading 
all  the  roads  in  the  vicinity. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  I5th  of  September  it  resumed  its  march  toward 
Fairfax,  all  indications  and  reports  of  scouts  kept  on  the  Centreville  road  and 
roads  to  left  of  the  turnpike  tending  to  show  that  Mosby,  with  a  large  force, 
but  in  divided  parties,  was  on  the  left  of  the  turnpike  and  between  Vienna  and 
Frying  Pan.  The  scouts  were  driven  from  Flint  Hill,  but  those  at  Fairfax  re 
ported  that  Mosby  had  been  seen  to  pass  through  the  Court  House  toward 
Centreviile  a  short  time  previous,  with  two  men.  I  dispatched  5  men  to  the 
Centreville  road,  about  3  miles  distant,  to  intercept  the  party,  fearing  that  more 
men  might  fail  of  an  approach.  Near  Germantown  3  of  this  number  returned 
and  reported  a  fight  with  Mosby,  in  which  2  of  the  men  had  lost  their 
horses  and  had  taken  to  the  woods,  and  that  large  parties  of  guerrillas  were 
now  on  the  right.  On  the  return  of  the  other  men  it  was  definitely  ascertained 
that  Mosby,  or  a  person  resembling  him,  had  been  wounded  and  had  escaped. 
Mosby  had  certainly  been  in  vicinity  of  Fairfax  just  previous  to  the  action  and 
had  gone  towards  Centreville.  People  on  the  road  had  seen  him,  and  from 
the  description  of  his  person  and  recognition  of  his  picture  by  parties  engaged, 
there  seems  to  be  some  color  for  the  report  that  he  was  in  the  action  and  was 
wounded,  as  he  or  the  person  in  question  was  seen,  before  riding  off,  to  throw 
up  his  hands  and  give  signs  of  pain.  This  could  be  observed,  as  the  action  was 
at  very  close  quarters.  I  dispatched  a  squadron  to  the  scene  shortly  after  and 
moved  to  Fairfax  Court  House,  sending  a  party  of  30  dismounted  men  through 
Vienna  to  Lewinsville.  The  regiment  reached  camp  at  Falls  Church  after  a 
march  that  day  of  15  miles  from  Chantilly." 
>  "  During  this  scout  the  weather  was  almost  constantly  rainy,  and  violent 


MOSBY'S 


235 


Capt.  William  H.  Chapman,  collecting  about  40  men, 
reached  Upperville  some  hours  after  the  Federals  had  left, 
and  cutting-  across  the  mDuntains,  attacked  the  party  in  the 
Gap,  killing  and  wounding  a  number,  recapturing  all  the 


BRIG.-GEN.  GEORGE  H.  CHAPMAN  AND  STAFF. 
From  a  War-time  Picture. 


prisoners  and  most  of  the  horses,  and  also  capturing  18 
prisoners  and  40  horses  from  the  enemy. 

When  the  main  body  at  Snickersville  heard  the  firing, 
they  hurried  on  to  the  scene  of  conflict,  and  Captain  Chap 
man  drew  off  his  men,  bringing  out  all  his  captures  safely. 

storms  prevented  speedy  movement  which  would  perhaps  have  brought  the 
column  to  Aldie  in  time  for  some  success,  and  prevented  a  movement  towards 
Middleburg  and  Rector's  Cross-Roads,  as  intended.  After  th.2  third  day  the 
men  and  horses  subsisted  on  the  country,  as  directed.  Twelve  horses  were 
taken  from  suspected  rebel  citizens,  and  all  suspected  houses  searched  on  the 
line  of  march." 

i 


236 


MOSBY  s  RANGERS. 


He  lost  one  man,  Joseph  Johnson,  of   Leesburg,  killed,  and 
3  wounded.     He  also  had  2  horses  killed.4 

4  HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  BRIGADE,  THIRD  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

September  17th,  1864. 

CHAPMAN  to  SIEBERT  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  with  400  men  of 
this  command,  I  started  from  this  camp  on  the  evening  of  the  I5th  instant  at 
10  o'clock,  on  an  expedition  to  Ashby's  Gap  for  the  purpose  of  developing  what 
force  of  the  enemy  were  rendezvoused  there  or  in  that  vicinity.     Crossing  the 
Shenandoah  River  at  the  ford  near  Snicker's  Gap,  I  there  detached  55   men, 
under  Captain  Compson,  Eighth  New  York  Cavalry,  with  instructions   to  pro- 
peed  up  the  river  on  this  side  the  ridge  and  across  the  mountain  into  Ashby's 
Gap,  while  with  the  ma,in"bpdy,  I  crossed  through  Snicker's  Gap  and  proceeded 
'•"  along  the  eastern  base   of   the    mountain 

••••••••BBMBBKgBII        to    Paris,  which   place   I  reached  shortly 

after  sunrise.  Soon  after  arriving  at 
Paris  small  parties  of  the  enemy's 
horsemen  began  to  show  themselves  on 
the  surrounding  heights,  but  at  safe 
distance,  and  they  continued  to  watch 
my  movements  during  the  day.  Once 
they  charged  upon  my  rear  guard,  but 
were  easily  driven  off.  Returning,  I 
passed  through  Upperville  and  reached 
Snickersville  at  2  p.  m.,  where,  the 
men  being  much  fatigued,  I  ordered 
an  hour's  halt,  sending  forward  one 
squadron  of  the  Eighth  New  York,  Cap 
tain  Bliss  commanding,  into  the  gap. 
Captain  Compson  was  also  in  the  gap, 
having  crossed  from  Ashby's  to  Snicker's 
Gap  by  a  road  on  the  mountain  ridge. 
About  an  hour  had  elapsed  and  the  men 
had  mostly  fallen  asleep,  when  they  were 
suddenly  charged  upon  by  a  force  of 
from  50  to  80  of  the  enemy,  and,  being 
stampeded  by  the  surprise,  a  number 
were  killed,  wounded  and  captured  before  I  reached  the  scene  of  the  encounter 
with  the  main  body.  They  had  approached  the  Gap  across  the  mountains  and 
charged  down  an  easy  slope,  and  they  retired  by  the  same  way,  pursued  for 
two  miles  by  my  men.  It  was  near  sundown,  and  in  the  exhausted  state  of 
men  and  horses  I  did  not  deem  further  pursuit  expedient. 

"Captain  Compson  had  captured  12  of  the  enemy,  but  they  were  recaptured. 
From  citizens  I  ascertained  that  Mosby  was  wounded  some  time  ago,  and  had 
gone  to  Richmond.  Judging  from  indications,  I  should  estimate  the  force  oper- 
ing  under  Mosby  and  his  colleague  at  from  200  to  250.  If  they  have  any  en 
campment  it  must  be  in  the  neighborhood  and  beyond  Upperville." 


ED.  HURST,  CO.  A. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  in  the  early  part 
of  the  War. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS.  237 

Wednesday,  September  21. — Capt.  William  H.  Chapman, 
with  Lieutenant  Fray,  Ed.  Hurst-"'  and  5  others,  went  on 
a  scout  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  On  the  Harper's  Ferry 
and  Winchester  road  they  saw  a  supply  train  with  a  heavy 
guard,  which  they  followed  for  some  distance,  picking  up  a 
commissary  and  2  cavalrymen.  As  night  came  on,  they  ap 
proached  a  house,  around  which  were  a  number  of  horses. 
Leaving  his  men,  Chapman  went  forward  and  inquired  if  he 
could  get  accommodated  for  the  night.  He  was  told  the 
house  was  full,  but  that  he  might  go  to  the  stable  yard, 
where  he  would  find  an  army  wagon,  and  could  probably 
turn  in  with  the  driver.  Chapman  then  went  back  and 
brought  up  his  men,  sending  Lieutenant  Fray  with  2  men  to 
the  house,  while  he  went  with  the  others  to  the  stable  yard. 
Lieutenant  Fray  discovered  that  the  inmates  had  been 
alarmed  and  had  all  left  the  house,  so  he  rejoined  Chapman. 
While  the  mules  were  being  taken  from  the 'wagon,  a  party 
of  Federal  officers  rode  up,  one  of  whom  called  out : 

-Who  is  that?" 

Chapman  answered  that  one  of  the  Sixth  Corps  wagons 
had  broken  down ;  and  riding  in  among  them  with  his  men, 
the  officers,  with  one  exception,  were  captured  without  any 
resistance.  The  officers  captured  were  Major  Fry,  of  the 
Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry ;  Captain  Brown  and  Lieu 
tenants  Stone  and  Pressy,  of  the  First  New  Hampshire  Cav 
alry.  Lieutenant  Oilman,  of  the  First  New  Hampshire, 
made  his  escape  in  the  darkness,  and  returned  to  Win 
chester.6 

As  Chapman  was  returning  with  his  prisoners  and  cap 
tures,  he  was  halted  by  a  sentinel  on  the  roadside.  He  dis 
covered  that  a  Federal  detachment  with  2  sutlers'  wagons 
had  camped  for  the  night,  and  as  the  sentinel  was  made 
prisoner,  the  rest  were  "  gobbled  up  "  without  difficulty. 
The  Federals,  supposing  that  all  of  Chapman's  party,  in 
eluding  prisoners,  were  Confederates,  thought  themselves 

5  Ed.  Hurst  was  wounded  seven  times  ;  twice  in  one  fight — at  Warrenton 
Junction,  May  3,  1863. 

6  Lieutenant    Mclntire,    reporting   this    affair    to    Captain    Barney,     says : 
"  We  reached  General  Sheridan's  headquarters  near  Strasburg.  September  21, 


238 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


outnumbered  and  that  it  was  useless  to  resist ;  while  the 
prisoners  first  captured  were  under  the  impression  that 
Chapman  had  carried  them  into  a  Confederate  camp.  Un 
der  cover  of  night,  these  little  delusions  were  readily  en 
couraged  and  converted  into  practical  helps  by  our  daring 
Rangers.  Eighteen  prisoners,  together  with  22  horses  and  6 
mules,  were  brought  out  by  Chapman  and  his  little  party  on 
this  occasion. 


and  turned  over  our  command.  The 
Major  said  to  us  that  an  escort  was 
going  on  to  Washington  with  the  cap 
tured  colors,  and  we  would  return  to 
Winchester  and  there  await  its  coming. 
Major  Fry,  Captain  Brown,  Lieuten 
ants  Stone,  Oilman,  Mclntire  and  Pres- 
sey  returned  to  Winchester;  I  became 
separated  from  the  party  in  Winchester, 
but  saw  the  escort  come  into  town,  and 
reported  to  the  commanding  officer. 
He  requested  me  to  look  my  party  up, 
as  he  said  they  were  to  start  in  half  an 
hour.  I  tried  to  find  them,  but  could 
not.  I  find,  on  getting  down  to  Har 
per's  Ferry,  that  Major  Fry,  Captain 
N.  H.  Brown,  Lieutenants  F.  P.  Stone, 
A.  E.  Oilman  and  Geo.  H.  Pressey, 
hearing  the  escort  had  passed  through 
Winchester  by  the  Martinsburg  road, 
galloped  on  (as  they  supposed)  after 
them,  and  about  5  miles  from  Win 
chester  were  attacked  by  Mosby's  men,  fired  upon,  and  all  but  Lieutenant  Gil- 
man  killed  or  made  prisoners;  he  escaped  by  returning  to  Winchester.  It  was 
just  dark  as  they  started  from  Winchester.  In  looking  for  the  party  in  the 
morning,  not  knowing  then  what  had  become  of  them,  although  I  heard  a 
rumor  in  Winchester  that  a  party  of  officers  were  captured  by  some  of  Mosby's 
men  the  night  before,  and  also  2  sutlers'  wagons  destroyed,  I  found  myself 
left  by  the  escort,  and  came  on  to  Harper's  Ferry  alone,  unmolested,  and 
reported  to  General  Stevenson.  From  Harper's  Ferry  I  came  with  my  horses 
to  Camp  Stoneman  ;  found  Lieutenant  Gilman  here." 


W.  F.  LINTZ,  CO.  C. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  after  the  War. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

September,  1864 — Capt.  Samuel  Chapman  in  the  Valley— Fight  near  Chester  Gap— Death  of  a 
Brave  Federal  Officer — Six  of  "  Mosby's  Men  "  Murdered  at  Front  Royal — "  Bob  Ridley  " 

.  '%  .  and  his  Dutch  Prisoner— Capt.  Win.  H.  Chapman's  Fight  with  a  Detachment  of  Seven 
teenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry— Raiders  at  Piedmont — Burning  of  Joe  Blackwell's  House, 
"Mosby's  Headquarters"— Examining  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad  — Raiding  Parties 
Searching  for  Mosby — They  take  a  Sick  Man  Out  of  Bed,  Strip  Him  and  Examine  Him 
for  Wounds — "  Mosby's  Men  "  in  the  Valley. 

Thursday,  September  22. — Command  met  at  Piedmont,  and 
Capt.  Samuel  Chapman  with  about  120  men  proceeded  to 
the  Valley  with  the  intention  of  capturing  a  picket  post  of 
the  Sixth  New  York  Cavalry,  which  was  said  to  be  stationed 
in  Chester  Gap.  Camping  for  the  night  a  short  distance 
south  of  Front  Royal,  he  learned  that  there  was  no  picket 
at  the  place  named,  and  was  also  informed  of  the  repulse  of 
the  Federal  cavalry  by  the  Confederates. 

Friday,  September  23. — Early  in  the  morning  Captain  Chap 
man,  with  a  few  men,  went  out  to  reconnoitre.  Learning 
ing  that  an  ambulance  train,  with  an  escort  of  about  200 
men,  was  moving  down  toward  Front  Royal,  he  determined 
to  attack  it. 

Dividing  his  command,  he  sent  Captain  Frankland,  with 
45  men,  to  attack  the  train  guard  in  front,  while  he  with  the 
other  portion  was  to  fall  upon  the-  rear.  From  his  position, 
which  was  nearer  than  Frankland's  to  the  approaching  train, 
Chapman  could  see  the  force  following,  and  noting  the 
heavy  body  of  cavalry  advancing  (which  proved  to  be  the 
Reserve  Brigade  of  Merritt's  Cavalry  Division  returning 
from  their  unsuccessful  move  on  Milford),  he  ordered  Lieu 
tenant  Hatcher  to  fall  back  with  all  speed  in  the  direction 
of  Chester  Gap,  while  he  went  around  to  Captain  Frank- 
land  to  prevent  his  making  the  attack.  But  before  reach 
ing  him,  Frankland  had  already  charged  the  escort  in  front 
and  was  driving  them  back  on  the  ambulances. 

"  Call  off  your  men  ;  you  are  attacking  a  brigade  !  "  said 
Chapman,  as  he  met  Frankland. 

239 


240  ICOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

u  Why,  Sam,  we've  whipped  them,"  returned  Frankland, 
as  he  reluctantly  obeyed  orders. 

Alternately  fighting  and  retreating,  Chapman  fell  back 
towards  Chester  Gap,  the  heavy  mass  of  cavalry  pressing 
on  all  sides,  as  if  to  overwhelm  the  little  band.  A  Federal 
officer,  Lieutenant  McMaster,  of  the  Second  U.  S.  Cavalry, 
with  a  small  party,  had  approached  by  the  Chester  Gap 
road,  with  the  intention  of  cutting  off  some  of  our  men 
who  were  seeking  to  escape  by  crossing  Hominy  Hol 
low,  and  as  they  made  their  appearance  in  our  front,  Lieu 
tenant  McMaster  waving  his  sabre  and  urging  his  men 

to  follow,  our  men  naturally  sup 
posed  the  enemy  were  seeking  to 
throw  a  force  in  our  front,  to  cut  off 

\ 

all  avenues  of  retreat.  As  they  wildly 
rushed  on,  McMaster's  horse  w^as 
killed  and  he,  a  brave,  dashing  fellow, 
fell  riddled  with  bullets  from  our 
rough-riders,  who  rode  over  him  in 
mf  their  flight.  Fifteen  or  20,  in  all, 
of  the  Federals  were  killed  and 
wounded.  Two  of  Chapman's  men 
were  wounded,  and  6,  Thomas 

THOMAS  E.  ANDERSON,     E.    Anderson,  • Carter,    William 

Thomas    Overby,    Lucien    Love, 

One  of  the  six  Mosby's  Men  •/  »  . 

Killed  at  Front  Royal  by         Henry    C.    Rhodes,    and    David    L. 

custer's  command.  Jones,    were  taken  prisoners  and 

afterwards  barbarously  hung  or  shot  by  their   captors  in 

retaliation  for  the  death  of  the  Federal  officer  (McMaster), 

who,  they  alleged,  was  killed  after  he  had  surrendered. 

Lieutenant  McMaster  was  killed  in  the  excitement  of  a 
fight,  by  men  who  were  seeking  to  escape  from  a  superior 
force,  and  who  were  fighting  for  their  lives.  It  is  hardly 
possible  at  such  a  time  to  say  whether  he  had  an  opportunity 
of  surrendering,  for  the  affair  was  only  of  a  few  moments 
duration.  The  6  unarmed,  defenseless  men  who  were  after 
wards  murdered  were  put  to  death  in  cool,  calm  moments 
by  men  who  had  time  to  deliberate,  and  the  act  was  sanc 
tioned  by  the  Federal  officers  in  command.  Three  were 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


24I 


taken  out  and  shot,  while  2,  Overby  and  Carter,  were  hanged 
in  sight  of  Front  Royal,  and  a  paper  pinned  on  the  breast 
of  one  read:  "Such  is  .the  fate  of  all  of  Mosby's  gang." 

The  sixth  and  the  last  victim  was  Henry  C.  Rhodes,  a 
boy  of  17  years  of  age.  He  was  dragged  through  the 
streets  of  Front  Royal  between  two  cavalrymen,  tied  to 
the  rear  straps  of  their  saddles.  A  witness  of  the  scene, 
said  the  horses  were  walking  fast  and  the  boy  could  scarcely 
keep  up ;  he  was  almost  unconscious ;  his  head  fell  limp  to 
one  side  and  his  mouth  was  open.  As  he  was  taken  through 
the  streets  his  old  mother  ran  out  and  clasping  her  arms 
around  his  neck,  pleaded  with  all 
the  eloquence  of  a  mother's  love 
that  they  would  spare  his  life. 
But,  deaf  to  her  entreaties,  they 
rudely  unclasped  her  arms,  and 
pushing  her  roughly  aside,  carried 
their  prisoner  outside  of  the  town 
and  put  him  to  death. 

Some  citizens  afterwards  brought 
in  his  body  on  a  wheelbarrow  A 
gentleman  came  out  and  spread  a 
sheet  over  the  body  and  in  that 
way  it  was  taken  to  his  mother. 

Mrs.  Davis-Roy,  writing  of  this 
affair,  says:  "The  'dark  day'  of 
1864,  is  indelibly  photographed  on  my  memory.  I  have 
often  wished  I  could  blot  it  out,  for  it  clouded  my  child 
hood.  I  saw  my  father  appeal  to  the  officer  in  command 
in  behalf  of  Mr.  Overby  and  young  Carter.  While  he 
listened  patiently,  he  would  not  yield  ;  and  well  do  I  remem 
ber  the  picture:  Overby,  with  head  erect,  defiant,  and  Carter 
overcome  and  weeping ;  and  as  they  were  marched  off,  the 
band  played  a  dirge  Henry  Rhodes's  last  moments  were 
mocked  by  strains  of  sweet  music,  as  the  soldiers  marched 
around  and  around  their  victim.  The  band  played  con 
tinually  on  the  spot,  and  many  sleepless  hearts  mourned. 
The  song  played  over  and  over  again,  was  'Love  Not,  the 
One  that  You  Love  May  Die,'  one  I  can  never  hear  now 
without  living  over  that  night  of  agony." 


WILLIAM   THOMAS 
OVERBY,  CO.  D. 


242  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

Our  men  were  much  excited  when  they  heard  of  this 
outrage,  and  some  of  the  more  impulsive  proposed  retaliat 
ing  upon  some  prisoners  then  in  our  hands.  The  prisoners, 
justly  fearing  an  immediate  resort  to  retaliatory  measures, 
entreated  to  be  spared.  The  men  agreed  to  wait  until 
Colonel  Mosby  returned,  before  acting  in  the  matter,  and 
the  prisoners  were  sent  off  to  Richmond.1 

See  * 'Front  Royal  Affair"  in  Appendix. 

William  Thomas  Overby,  was  born  in  April,  1837,  in  Dinwiddie  County, 
Virginia.  His  parents  moved  to  Coweta  County,  Georgia,  At  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  came  out  in  one  of  the  first  companies,  Company  A,  Seventh 
Regiment  Georgia  Infantry.  At  the  second  battle  of  Manassas  he  was 
wounded.  When  he  was  sufficiently  recovered  he  joined  Mosby's  command; 
he  was  a  member  of  Company  D. 

CARTER. — There  were  six  men  captured  in  the  fight  which  took  place  be 
tween  a  part  of  Mosby's  command,  under  Captains  Chapman  and  Frankland, 
and  the  advance  of  the  First  Division  Federal  Cavalry.  Those  six  defenceless 
prisoners  were  taken  out  and  brutally  murdered — four  were  shot  to  death  and 
two  were  hanged.  We  have  the  names  of  five  of  which  there  is  not  the  slightest 
doubt — Anderson,  Love,  Rhodes,  Overby  and  Jones.  As  to  the  sixth,  to 
whom  the  name  of  Carter  has  been  given,  I  have  made  inquiry  wherever  I 
thought  there  was  a  possibility  of  ascertaining  any  fact  which  might  give  a 
clue  to  his  identity,  but  have  concluded  this  must  always  remain  a  mystery. 

The  following  letter  is  of  interest  in  this  connection: 

My  dear  Sir .  Orange,  Va.,  October  20,  1908. 

Yours  of  the  24th  received  and  cordially  acknowledged.  I  have  made 
several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  have  the  error  in  the  history  of  Mosby's  com 
mand  corrected,  in  regard  to  one  of  the  men  slaughtered  at  Front  Royal  by 
General  Custer's  orders,  being  named  Carter.  I  belonged  to  Company  D 
(Montjoy's),  and  was  within  a  few  yards  of  Tom  Anderson  when  his  horse  fell; 
and  soon  after  mine  fell  and  threw  me  off,  but  Joe  Millan,  a  member  of  my 
company,  took  me  out  to  a  piece  of  woods  where  I  got  off  and  made  my  escape. 

I  was  four  days  getting  back  across  the  mountains,  and  found  my  horse  in 
possession  of  one  of  our  men  at  Capt.  Bailey's,  and  then  I  heard  the  report 
that  I  had  been  hung  at  Front  Royal,  which  was  very  natural  to  suppose,  as 
my  horse  was  found  there  and  I  was  missing.  I  certainly  was  not  hung  at 
Front  Royal,  as  I  am  now  living  at  Orange,  Va.,  and  am  62  years  old. 

Your  old  comrade, 

THOMAS  W.  CARTER 

1  In  a  letter  written  to  Capt.  Walter  E  Frankland,  Thomas  Moss  of  Alexan 
dria  makes  mention  of  this  affair  as  follows  : 

"I  remember  distinctly  the  charge  and  driving  back  the  Yankees,  and  whilst 
shooting  the  best  I  could,  I  felt  a  hand  on  my  shoulder  and  heard  these  words: 
'For  God's  sake,  come  out  from  here!'  I  can  almost  feel  the  touch  and  hear  the 
words  now.  On  looking  around  I  found  it  was  you.  There  was  not  another  one 
of  our  comrades  in  view  We  passed  through  a  small  piece  of  woods  and  on 
coming  out  to  the  opening  I  saw  the  main  column  of  our  boys  passing  through 
a  gap  in  the  fence  I  went  to  the  left  and  jumped  the  fence.  Harry  Hatcher 
called  out  to  form  on  the  hill.  He,  with  Fount.  Beattie,  Ab.  Minor  and  myself 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


243 


Among  the  "characters  "  in  the  Battalion  was  one  Robert 
VV.  Eastham,  familiarly  known  as  '*  Bob  Ridley."  Of  a  rest 
less,  roving  disposition,  he  was  never  idle.  A  fight  or  a 
foot  race,  a  fox  hunt  or  a  raid,  were  equally  gratifying  to 
him.  He  would  often  start  off  with  two  or  three  compan 
ions,  and  seldom  returned  without  prisoners  and  horses. 

On  the  day  previous  to  the  fight  near  Chester  Gap  he 
was  scouting  in  Custer's  rear  with  Joseph  Foy,  John 
Kirwin,  Frank  Kennerly  and  Joseph  Griffin  Near  Guard 
Hill  they  captured  2  couriers  with  dispatches  for  General 
Custer.  A  little  further  on,  they  saw  a  Federal  soldier  rid- 


fell  in  line.  It  was  then  that  a  regiment  of  the  enemy  came  in  between  us  and 
our  main  body.  We  passed  down  the  hill  and  came  upon  about  20  of  the  enemy 
in  charge  of  prisoners.  We  charged  and  routed  the  guards,  and  I  was  fortunate 

in  saving  Beattie's  life  by  shooting  a  man 
who  had  his  pistol  within  12  inches  of 
Beattie.  I  then  caught  a  horse,  which  I  gave 
to  Overby,  but  before  he  could  mount  he  was 
captured.  Beattie  and  I  then  ran  down 
the  road  a  short  distance  and  turned  and 
went  up  into  a  piece  of  pine  woods.  While 
there  the  enemy  sent  out  a  picket  of  40 
men,  who  stopped  just  below  where  we 
stood.  Beattie  told  me  to  remain  and 
watch  until  he  could  collect  some  of  our 
men  and  capture  the  picket  post  befors 
reinforcements  could  be  sent  from  Front 
Royal.  I  remained  there  nearly  all  day, 
until  after  the  enemy  had  left.  I  could  see 
there  was  something  going  on  in  Front 
Royal  and  heard  the  shots,  but  did  not  learn 
until  afterwards  the  fate  of  our  comrades.1' 
Dr.  R.  C.  Buck,  of  Orlean,  Va.,  in  reply 
to  my  letter,  wrote  : 

"  I  saw  this  fight,  and  from  a  distance 
saw  the  killing  of  Rhodes,  who  was  a  friend 
and  playmate  of  mine.  I  saw  Overby  and 
Carter  just  before  they  were  hung.  They 
were  taken  by  their  captors  to  Petty's  wagon 

yard,  and  as  I  passed  by  them  Gen.  Custer  and  staff  rode  along  the  street.  The 
Yankees  were  taunting  the  poor  fellows,  who  stood  up  proud  and  defiant  and 
apparently  unmoved.  I  recollect  the  appearance  of  Overby;  he  was  standing 
with  his  hat  and  coat  off,  his  wavy  black  hair  floating  in  the  breeze.  I  never 
saw  a  finer  specimen  of  manhood." 


R.  VV.  EASTHAM,  "  BOB  RIDLEY," 

CO.  D. 
From  a  Photograph. 


244  MOSBYS    RANGERS. 

ing  along  with  half  of  a  sheep  before  him  on  his  horse. 
"  Bob  "  suddenly  started  from  behind  a  bush  and  presenting 
his  pistol,  called  on  the  man  to  surrender.  He  was  a  Dutch 
man,  and  afterwards  in  relating  the  story  of  his  capture  to 
one  of  our  men,  said  : 

"  You  see,  der  General  he  kill  a  sheep  unt  I  put  me  half 
on  my  horse,  unt  as  I  vash  ride  along  a  man  he  put  a  pistol 
in  my  face  unt  he  say  :  '  Surrender,  you  tarn  Dutchman  !  ' 
Unt  I  say  '  Yaas.'  Unt  he  make  me  gif  up  my  gun,  unt 
my  pistol,  unt  my  sabre.  Den  I  tells  him  der  gooverment 
sharge  me  for  dem.  But  he  would  take  dem.  He  only 
laugh  at  me." 

Returning  on  the  Gooney  Manor  road  toward  Front 
Royal,  Eastham  learned  that  a  party  of  37  Federal  cavalry 
had  passed  but  a  little  while  before.  As  he  had  been  joined 
by  4  troopers  belonging  to  the  Twelfth  Virginia  cavalry, 
he  left  John  Kirwin  in  charge  of  the  3  prisoners  and  started 
in  pursuit  of  the  Federal  cavalry.  As  soon  as  they  came  in 
sight  Eastham  and  his  little  party  charged  with  a  yell.  In 
the  cloud  of  dust  which  enveloped  them,  the  surprised  and 
startled  Federals  could  form  no  estimate  of  the  number  of 
their  assailants,  but  naturally  supposing  the  force  superior  to 
their  own,  broke  and  ran  at  break-neck  speed.  At  a  turn  in 
the  road  one  of  the  enemy's  horses  fell  with  its  rider,  and 
Eastham  being  too  near  to  stop,  attempted  to  jump  over  the 
prostrate  horse  and  rider.  As  he  did  so,  the  horse  started 
to  rise,  and  threw  Eastham's  horse  down  the  bank,  both 
horse  and  rider  being  lamed  in  the  fall.  The  pursuit  was 
continued  for  some  distance.  Eastham  then  returned  to 
Front  Royal  with  the  prisoners  and  17  horses. 

Sunday,  September  25. — Capt.  William  Chapman,  with  a 
small  party,  returned  to-day  from  a  scout  in  the  Valley, 
bringing  23  prisoners  and  27  horses. 

They  encountered  a  detachment  of  the  Seventeenth  Penn 
sylvania  Cavalry  on  the  Valley  turnpike,  and  after  a  sharp 
little  skirmish  routed  them  completely.  (See  Appendix.) 


Colonel  Edwards,  in  his  report,  dated  Sept.  24,  says  .     "A  detachment  of 
the  Seventeenth   Pennsylvania  Cavalry  were  sent  out  on  the   Berryville  turn- 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  245 

Monday,  September  26. — A  force  of  about  500  Federal 
cavalry  from  Fairfax,  came  up  to-day  as  far  as  Piedmont. 
They  burned  the  house  of  Joseph  Blackwell,  near  Piedmont, 
with  the  barns  and  outhouses.  The  Federals  had  learned 
that  the  house  was  used  by  Mosby  as  headquarters.  Some 
ammunition  and  equipments,  including  a  uniform  coat  be 
longing  to  Colonel  Mosby,  fell  into  their  hands,  and  a  quan 
tity  of  arms  and  ammunition  which  was  concealed  in  the 
buildings,  and  some  forage  was  destroyed. 

This  body  of  Federal  cavalry  came  up  as  an  escort  to  Mr. 
Bartram,  an  engineer  sent  to  make  an  examination  of  the 
Manassas  Gap  railroad.3 


pike  half  a  mile  beyond  the  Opequon  to  ascertain  whether  any  of  our  wounded 
officers  and  men  were,  as  reported,  at  that  point.  This  party,  consisting  of 
two  commissioned  officers  and  50  men,  were  attacked  by  a  band  of  the  enemy's 
guerrillas,  numbering  150  or  200,  and,  although  well  disposed  for  a  fight,  com 
pletely  routed,  but  4  of  them  having  as  yet  reported.  When  the  news  of  the 
disaster  reached  this  post,  the  entire  regiment  was  at  once  dispatched  to  the 
point  where  it  occurred,  the  whole  country  was  thoroughly  scouted,  2  of  our 
own  dead  and  i  of  the  enemy's  that  fell  in  the  engagement  were  discovered, 
but  no  further  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the  enemy  or  the  further 
extent  of  the  loss  could  be  ascertained,  except  that  they  saw  a  squad  cutting 
their  way  through  and  moving  in  the  direction  of  Harper's  Ferry.  Mosby  is 
hovering  around  this  vicinity  with  at  least  400  men.  Two  hundred  men  of  the 
regiment  of  cavalry  on  duty  at  this  post  are  new  recruits,  and,  I  think,  with  an 
increase  of  force  he  could  be  probably  either  captured  or  used  up." 

Again,  September  26th,  he  says  :  "The  two  commissioned  officers  who  had 
charge  of  the  detachment  of  cavalry,  reported  in  my  communication  of  yester 
day  as  having  been  attacked  by  the  enemy,  and  7  enlisted  men  have  returned. 
They  were  entirely  cut  off  from  their  command  and  pursued  as  far  as  Charles- 
town.  There  are  now  but  24  out  of  the  detachment  of  46  that  are  unaccounted 
for." 

3HEADQUARTERS  THIRTEENTH  NEW  Y-lRK    CAVALRY,   \ 

Near  Falls  Church,  Va.,  September  28,  186  J^.        J 

GANSEVOORT  to  LANSING  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  escort  of  500 
men  under  my  command  moved  on  the  evening  of  the  24th  of  September 
through  Centreville,  and  thence  through  Thoroughfare  Gap,  striking  and  fol 
lowing  the  line  of  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad  through  Rectortown  to  Pied 
mont.  Near  Piedmont  the  house  of  Joseph  Blackwell  was  burned,  as  directed, 
together  with  the  barns  and  extensive  outhouses.  A  large  quantity  of  amuni- 
tion,  artillery  harness  and  equipments  was  destroyed,  including  a  large  quan 
tity  of  pistols  and  carbines,  which  were  concealed  from  search  in  the  house  and 
whose  destruction  was  only  known  by  their  reports.  This  evidently  was  Col. 
Mosby's  arsenal  and  headquarters,  as  was  shown  by  some  articles  of  clothing 


246  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

The  news  of  the  wounding  of  Mosby  having  by  this  time 
reached  the  Federal  lines,  raiding  parties  were  sent  through 
the  country  hoping  to  capture  him.4 

Friday,  Sept.  30. — A  party  of  75  Federal  cavalry,  supposed 
to  be  Blazer's  scouts,  entered  Upperville  before  sunrise  and 
searched  the  town  for  Mosby,  whom  they  understood  was 
lying  wounded  in  that  place.  They  compelled  one  man, 
Turner  Holmes,  who  was  lying  sick  in  bed,  to  get  up  and 
strip,  and  examined  him  for  wounds.  They  carried  off  4 
horses,  but  no  men,  although  there  were  several  in  town  at 
the  time.5 

and  equipments.  Near  this  point,  having  heard  the  condition  of  the  railroad 
beyond  Piedmont,  the  engineer,  to  whose  wishes  by  order  I  was  subordinate, 
stated  that  he  had  sufficient  information  and  desired  to  return  as  soon  as  possi 
ble  in  order  to  make  his  report.  Having  ascertained  by  moving  in  close  prox 
imity  to  Manassas  Gap  that  there  was  no  regular  force,  if  any,  in  the  Gap,  I 
pursued  the  enemy  by  a  detachment  a  mile  beyond  Piedmont  and  returned  by 
the  way  of  Middleburg  and  Aldie  to  this  camp.  The  railroad  was  found  to  be 
in  good  repair,  except  the  growth  of  grass  on  track  to  Piedmont ;  beyond  it 
was  ascertained  to  be  torn  up  and  in  need  of  repair.  Nothing  of  interest  oc 
curred  en  route  excepting  frequent  skirmishes  with  and  charges  on  the  enemy. 
I  desire  to  mention  Lieutenant  Farrell,  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  for  his  con 
duct  in  charge  of  the  rear  guard  near  RectortOwn.  There  are  conflicting  reports 
regarding  Colonel  Mosby — some  stating  that  he  is  dead  ;  all  that  he  is  severely 
wounded  and  below  Charlottesville,  Va." 

4  General  Stevenson,  in  a  dispatch  to  Secretary  Stanton,  September  28th,  says: 
"  If  a  cavalry  force  could  be  sent  from  Washington  with  speed  to  Upperville, 

Mosby  could  be  captured.  I  have  information  that  I  consider  reliable  that  he 
is  in  a  house  in  Upperville,  too  badly  wounded  to  be  moved  ;  that  the  report  of 
his  being  sent  to  Richmond  is  false,  intended  to  divert  attention.  If  I  had 
a  force  of  cavalry  "to  use  I  should  send  them  at  once.  All  my  cavalry  is 
compelled  to  go  to  front  escorting  supplies." 

5  The  following  dispatch  from  Stevenson  to  Stanton,  dated  September  2yth, 
shows   how   actively   our    scouting   parties    were   at   that    time    operating   in 
Sheridan's  rear  : 

"  Both  of  my  last  courier  parties  were  attacked  by  rebel  cavalry  ;  dispersed 
part  of  them,  capturing  the  first  party  at  Strasburg,  the  second  at  a  point 
between  Charlestown  and  Bunker  Hill.  Message  No.  31  was  sent  by  both 
parties,  and  both  have  failed.  I  shall  try  another  duplicate  to-night.  The 
country  between  this  and  Sheridan  yesterday  and  to-day  seemed  to  be  alive 
with  parties  of  rebel  guerrillas  and  cavalry.  Last  night  they  attacked  ambulances, 
with  escort  of  17  men,  between  this  and  Charlestown  ;  severely  wounded 
surgeon  of  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  I  doubt  if  we  shall  be  able  to  get  any 
dispatches  thiough  without  sending  much  larger  body  of  cavalry  than  I  can  get 
hold  of.  I  have  but  small  force  for  such  duty,  and  it  is  badly  worn  down." 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

October,  1864— Attempt  to  Reconstruct  the  ManassasGap  Railroad—"  First  Completely  Clean  Out 
Mosby " — Mosby  Returns  to  his  Command,  though  not  Entirely  Recovered  from  his 
Wounds— Pushing  Forward  Federal  Troops  on  the  Railroad— Fight  at  Salem  and  Flight 
of  Federals  to  Rectortown— Lieutenant  Grogan  Captures  Picket  at  Rectortown — Shelling 
Camps— Driving  Back  Trains— Tearing  up  and  Destroying  Tracks  as  Fast  as  Relaid — 
General  Augur  Arrives  on  the  Scene — Heavy  Force  of  Cavalry  to  Reinforce  the  Federal 
Infantry— Death  of  Lieutenant  Ames  (Big  Yankee) — Capture  of  Courier  and  Escort  with 
Dispatches  in  Ashby's  Gap— Death  of  Lieutenant  Bowie  — Mosby  Still  Annoys  the 
Enemy — Road  in  Working  Order  to  Piedmont,  but  Very  Slow  Work— Trains  Thrown 
Off  the  Track — Attacks  on  Foraging  Parties — Mosby  Narrowly  Escapes  Capture. 

Sheridan,  in  moving  up  the  Valley,  felt  that  it  was  im 
possible  to  keep  open  his  line  of  communication  and  main 
tain  his  supplies.  Writing-  Grant  from  near  New  Market, 
he  says: 

"  I  am  now  80  miles  from  Martinsburg  and  find  it  exceed 
ingly  difficult  to  supply  this  army." 

On  the  22d  of  September  General  Grant  wrote  to  General 
Halleck : 

"  Will  it  not  be  practicable  to  open  in  a  short  time  the 
railroad  from  Washington  to  Strasburg?" 

To  this  General  Halleck  replied,  September  23  : 

"  I  now  learn  that  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad  can  be 
put  in  running  order  to  Piedmont,  16  miles  from  Front 
Royal,  in  3  days.  From  there  to  Front  R.oyal  all  the  iron 
of  the  track  has  been  carried  away,  and  it  will  require  about  a 
week  to  replace  it.  From  Front  Royal  to  Strasburg  all  the 
bridges,  which  are  very  long,  have  been  destroyed  and  the 
rails  removed  ;  but  it  is  thought  that  Front  Royal  will  serve 
all  the  purpose  for  the  defense  of  the  Valley  that  Strasburg 
would,  a  pontoon  bridge  being  established  across  the  river 
at  that  place.  Before  any  decision  is  arrived  at  in  regard  to 
the  location  of  a  depot,  a  competent  engineer  officer  should 
be  sent  to  examine  the  relative  merits  of  Front  Royal  and 
Strasburg." 

General  Halleck  accordingly  directed  General  Augur  to 
furnish 

"  a  sufficient  cavalry  escort  to  accompany  the  engineer 
officer  who  has  been  directed  to  examine  the  Manassas  Gap 
Railroad." 


248  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Colonel  Lazelle  says,  September  23  : 

"  I  have  communicated  with  the  engineer  sent  and  have 
informed  him  that  in  my  opinion  it  would  be  extremely  haz 
ardous  to  send  a  force  of  350  men  farther  than  the  vicinity 
of  Piedmont." 

General  Augur  then  wrote  Lazelle  : 

"  Send  the  escort,  and  make  it  as  strong  as  you  deem 
necessary." 

Lazelle  thereupon  issued  orders  to  Colonel  Gansevoort 

"  to  proceed  with  the  escort  of  500  men  under  your  com 
mand  to  escort  Mr.  Bartram,  the  engineer  sent  to  make  an 
examination  of  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad." 

General  Meigs  to  General  Grant,  September  27 : 

"  We  wait  military  protection  to  open  the  Manassas  Gap 
Railroad.  Reports  of  time  needed — say  3  days  to  Piedmont, 
7  days  to  Front  Royal,  14  days  to  Strasburg." 

Grant  to  Halleck,  October  2  : 

"  Please  direct  the  construction  party  at  work  on  the  rail 
road  to  open  the  road  to  Front  Royal." 

Grant  to  Sheridan,  October  3  : 

"  I  will  direct  the  railroad  to  be  pushed  toward  Front 
Royal,  so  that  you  may  send  your  troops  back  that  way." 

Troops  were  then  moved  forward  on  the  railroad,  as  will 
be  seen  by  the  following : 

General  Slough  to  Taylor,  October  3  : 

"  Colonel  Gallupe  telegraphs  me  from  Manassas  this  even 
ing  that  the  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery  is  at  Gaines 
ville  ;  that  he  will  advance  it  17  miles  to-morrow,  and  move 
the  Two  Hundred  and  Second  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Vol 
unteers  to  Gainesville.  Had  I  not  better  move  to-morrow 
the  6  companies  of  the  Two  Hundred  and  First  Regiment 
to  Manassas  Junction  ?  " 

General  Augur  to  Colonel  Gansevoort,  October  3  : 

"  You  will  prepare  one  company  of  your  regiment  at  once 
for  detached  service,  and  send  it  to  Alexandria,  to  reach  that 
point  by  10  a.  m.  to-morrow.  On  his  arrival  there  the  com 
manding  officer  will  draw  ten  days'  rations  of  subsistence 
and  forage  for  his  command,  and  take  the  cars  to  the  front, 
to  join  the  Construction  Corps  on  the  Manassas  Gap  Rail- 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


249 


road.     This  company  is  to  act  as  couriers  between  the  tele- 

fraph  office  with  the  Construction  Corps  and  Major-General 
heridan's  headquarters.     You    will,   therefore,  select    the 
company  whose  commanding  officer  and  men  are  most  reli 
able,  and  who  are  best  fitted  for  this  very  important  duty." 

In  all  this  preparation  to  reconstruct  the  Manassas  Gap 
Railroad  (which  had  been  destroyed  by  Stonewall  Jackson) 
and  thus  open  communication  between  the  army  of  Sheridan 
in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  by 
way  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  Mosby  was 
not  forgotten.  Kalleck  to  Grant,  October  4,  says : 

"  In  order  to  keep  up  com 
munication  on  this  line  to 
Manassas  Gap  and  the  Shen 
andoah  Valley  it  will  be 
necessary  to  send  South  all 
rebel  inhabitants  between 
that  line  and  the  Poi.omac, 
and  also  to  completely  clean 
out  Mosby  s  gang  of  robbers 
who  have  so  long  infested  tJiat 
district  of  country,  and  I 
respectfully  suggest  that 
Sheridan's  cavalry  should  be 
required  to  accomplish  this 
object  before  it  is  sent  else 
where.  The  two  small  regi 
ments  under  General  Augur 
have  been  so  often  cut  up  by 
Mosby  s  band  that  they  arc 
cowed  and  useless  for  that  pur 
pose." 

General     Stevenson     pro 
posed   using   Cole's  cavalry 
for  their  destruction,  and  wrote  from   Harper's    Ferry  to 
General  Halleck : 

"  There  is  a  body  of  about  400  guerrillas  ( Mosby 's  and 
White's  bands)  infesting  the  country  around  Berryville,  and 
between  Bunker  Hill  and  Winchester,  cutting  off  small  par 
ties  and  threatening  our  trains.  I  have  here  (dismounted) 
the  First  Maryland  Cavalry.  They  are  about  500  strong. 
They  are  good  men,  and  as  I  have  placed  their  worthless 
colonel  in  Coventry,  I  think  if  they  were  armed  with  Spen 
cer  rifles  or  carbines,  well  mounted,  and  make  these  guerrillas 


BRIG.-GEN  JOHN  D.  STEVENSON. 
District  of  Harper's  Ferry. 


250  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

their  specialty,  we  could  effectually  destroy  them.  The 
men  were  all  raised  in  this  vicinity,  are  familiar  with  the 
country,  and  are  the  right  troops  for  such  service." 

In  the  latter  part  of  September,  Mosby  returned  to  Fau- 
quier,  although  not  entirely  recovered  from  his  wounds  and 
still  compelled  to  use  crutches.  He  ordered  a  meeting  of 
the  command  at  Piedmont,  intending  to  strike  Sheridan  in 
the  Valley,  but  on  learning  of  the  advance  of  a  body  of  Fed 
eral  troops  from  Fairfax,  he  sent  out  scouts  and  on  Monday, 
October  3,  1864,  started  from  Piedmont  with  about  300  men 
and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  marching  by  way  of  Plains  to 
Thoroughfare  Gap  in  the  Bull  Run  Mountains.  We  passed 
through  Thoroughfare  Gap  a  little  after  dark.  A  sharp 
firing  in  our  front  soon  warned  us  of  the  presence  of  the 
enemy.  We  turned  off  to  the  left  and  moved  along,  hug 
ging  the  mountain,  until  we  reached  Craven  Kings,  where 
we  halted  for  the  night.  Our  scouts  reported  that  they  had 
been  fired  on  near  Gainesville  by  Federal  infantry  advancing 
along  the  railroad  towards  the  Gap. 

Tuesday,  October  4- — Moved  off  early  towards  the  railroad, 
where  we  found  a  construction  train,  with  infantry  and  cav 
alry  guard.1  The  infantry  opened  fire  on  us  and  continued 
firing  on  our  rear  as  we  fell,  back,  crossing  the  Bull  Run 
mountains  at  Hopewell  Gap,  and  camped  at  Blackwell's, 
near  Piedmont. 

Wednesday,  October  5. — With  about  200  men,  Mosby  ad 
vanced  on  Salem.3  Placing  his  two  howitzers  in  position  on 
Stevenson's  Hill,  a  little  south  of  Salem  and  overlooking  the 
Federal  camp,  he  opened  fire  on  it,  our  sharpshooters  at 

1  General  SLOUGH  to  General  AUGUR,  Oct.  4  :     "  Colonel  Gallupe  telegraphs 
me  that  the  train  guard  has  been  fired  into  by  about  200  of  the  enemy  about  two 
miles  east  of  Gainesville.     No  particulars  received.     The  cavalry  company  has 
arrived,  forty  strong,  in  command  of  First   Lieut.  H.    F.  -Pugh,   Company   E, 
Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry." 

2  Colonel  Gallupe  telegraphs  General    Slough,  October  5th:     "The  T\vo 
hundred  and  first  Pennsylvania  is  at  Manassas  Junction  and  Gainesville,  3  com 
panies  at  each  place  ;  2  companies  Two  hundred  and  second  Pennsylvania  at 
Thoroughfare    Gap,  8   companies  at    Plains  ;    I  battalion    Fifth    Pennsylvania 
Heavy  Artillery  at  Salem,  one  between  Salem  and  Rectortown,  and  one  at  Rec- 
tortown  ;  the  cavalry  with  the  telegraph  construction  train." 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  251 

the  same  time  being  pushed  forward.  Our  guns  no  sooner 
Dpened  fire  than  the  Federals  left  their  camp  and  fled  to 
wards  Rectortown,  leaving  behind  their  tents  and  camp 
equipage.  In  possession  of  the  camp,  our  men  took  what 
they  wished  and  set  fire  to  and  destroyed  the  remainder. 
Men  were  put  to  work  tearing  up  the  railroad  and  undoing 
the  labors  of  the  construction  party.3 

Our  First  Squadron,  about  80  men,  was  ordered  to  follow 
on  after  the  retreating  Federals.  Their  trail  was  easily  fol 
lowed,  for  as  they  tied  they  threw  away  everything  likely  to 
inpede  their  flight — clothing,  arms  and  ammunition,  and 
equipments.  In  the  pursuit  40  prisoners,  including  2  lieu 
tenants,  were  captured.  Coming  to  a  turn  in  the  road  near 
Rectortown,  we  found  the  infantry  drawn  up  inline.  They 
opened  a  brisk  fire  as  we  dashed  forward,  but  Mosby  called 
out :  u  Come  back,  men  ;  come  back  !  "  Before  the  order 
was  obeyed  we  had  two  men  shot,  Ed.  Anderson  and  Stinson. 

When  the  Federals  found  they  had  checked  Mosby's  ad 
vance,  they  again  started  at  a  double  quick  and  never  halted 
until  they  joined  their  forces  with  those  at  Rectortown.4 

At  night  we  bivouacked  between  Rectortown  and  Salem. 

Colonel  Mosby  ordered  Lieutenant  Grogan  to  go  to  Rec 
tortown  to  ascertain  if  the  infantry  had  halted  there  or  had 
fallen  back  beyond  that  point.  Grogan  approached  the  rail- 
Mt 

3  Chaffin's  Bluff,  Oct.  9,  186$. 

General  LEE  to  Secretary  SEDDON  :  "  Colonel  Mosby  reports  that  a  body  of 
about  1,000  of  the  enemy  advanced  up  the  Manassas  road  on  the  4th  with  trains 
of  cars  loaded  with  railroad  material  and  occupied  Salem  and  Rectortown.  He 
attacked  them  at  Salem,  defeating  them,  capturing  50  prisoners,  all  their 
baggage,  camp  equipage,  stores,  etc.,  and  killed  and  wounded  a  considerable 
number.  His  loss,  2  wounded.  Enemy  is  entrenched  at  Rectortown  with  2 
long  trains  of  cars.  The  railroad  is  torn  up  and  bridges  burned  in  their  rear 
and  all  communications  cut. 

4  General  SLOUGH  to  Headquarters,  Washington,  Oct.  6  :  "A  telegram 
from  Colonel  Gallupe,  just  received,  announces  an  attack  of  the  enemy,  with 
over  400  men  and  2  pieces  of  artillery,  near  Salem.  The  account  is  so  con 
fused  that  it  is  hard  to  tell  the  result.  His  communication  with  his  command 
beyond  is  cut.  He  has  800  men  with  him.  He  asks  for  artillery  and  cavalry. 
I  have  instructed  him  to  hold  his  position,  if  possible  ;  if  not,  to  fall  back  in  the 
direction  of  Manassas  Junction.  A  later  dispatch,  just  received,  announces 
that  cannonading  is  now  going  on.  What  shall  I  do  ?" 


252 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


road  station  through  a  tract  of  woodland,  dismounted,  tied  his 
horse  to  a  tree,  and  in  advancing  on  foot  up  the  hill  near  the 
station,  saw  in  the  darkness  (it  was  raining  slightly)  shown 
in  relief  against  the  sky  to  his  left,  an  object  so  motionless 
that  he  thought  it  was  a  high-cut  stump  or  a  dead  tree. 
Keeping  his  eyes  fixed  upon  this  object,  he  cautiously  ad 
vanced,  when  to  his  surprise  a  sentinel  stepped  from  beneath 
a  small  tree  on  his  right  and  approaching,  said : 

"  Is  that  you,  Captain  ?  " 

Grogan  was  startled,  but  instantly  recovering  his  presence 
of  mind,  said : 

61  Yes.     Why  are  you  not  walking  your  beat,  sir?  " 

Drawing  his  revolver,  Grogan  thrust  it  in  the  face  of  the 


THOROUGHFARE  GAP. 

astonished  sentinel,  saying  :     "  One  word  and  you  are  a  dead 
man.     Put  down  your  gun,  sir." 

Taking  the  man  by  the  arm,  he  led  him  off,  telling  him 
Mosby  had  him.  The  man  was  frightened  and  became  so 
unsteady  in  his  gait  that  Grogan  asked  him  if  he  had  been 
drinking.  He  recovered  his  speech  sufficiently  to  answer 
"  No."  Going  to  the  place  where  he  had  left  his  horse, 
Grogan  took  his  prisoner  to  Glen  Welby  and  delivered  him 
to  Colonel  Mosby,  who  questioned  him  and  obtained  the  de 
sired  information  from  him. 


MUSHY  s  UAXG::RS. 


253 


As  all  were  weary  after  the  day's  work,  they  slept  to 
gether  in  a  hay  loft.  The  only  order  given  the  prisoner 
was  to  go  to  sleep  and  not  turn  over  once  in  the  night ;  that 
if  he  did,  he  would  get  a  ball  through  him.  It  is  supposed 
he  obeyed  this  injunction  to  the  letter.  If  he  did  not,  no 
one  knew  it,  for  all  slept  soundly,  and  in  the  morning  the 
prisoner  had  to  be 
aroused  to  take  his 
departure  with  the 
rest  of  the  party. 

Thursday,  October 
6. — We  moved  on 
to  Salem.  A  gun 
was  placed  on  a  hill 
to  command  the 
railroad,  and  men 
were  set  to  work 
destroying  the 
track.  A  train  at 
tempted  to  come 
up  from  the  Plains, 
but  was  driven 
back.  A  second 
attempt  was  made, 
and  as  the  train 
drew  near,  the  in 
fantry  left  it  and 
formed  along  the 
edge  of  a  body  of 
woods,  their  glit 
tering  bayonets 
glancing  in  the  sun.  Our  shell  falling  short,  the  gun  was 
brought  closer  and  we  were  formed  near  the  edge  of  the 
town  to  support  the  gun.  The  infantry  then  boarded  the 
train  and  hurried  off. 

We  now  moved  off  to  Rectortown,  where  the  Federals 
had  entrenched  themselves,  opened  fire  on  their  camp  with 
rifle  piece  and  howitzer,  and  shelled  them  until  evening.  We 


MAJOR-GENERAL  C.  C.  AUGUR,  U.  S.  VOLS. 
Commanding  Department  of  Washington. 


254  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

were  then  dismissed,  to  meet  the  next  morning  at  Black- 
well's,  near  Piedmont.5 

Friday,  October  7. — The  command  met  at  Blackwell's  and 
moved  off  toward  Rectortown  with  4  guns.  We  still  kept 
up  the  work  of  shelling  and  driving  back  trains  ;  tearing  up 
and  demolishing  the  track  as  fast  as  it  was  relaid,  and  an 
noying  the  invading  force  by  every  means  at  our  command. 
The  main  body  of  the  Federals  took  up  its  line  of  march 
toward  Salem.  We  followed,  harassing  them  as  they 
marched,  until  they  reached  Salem,  when  they  took  up  a 
strong  position  on  Stevenson's  Hill,  from  which  it  was  im 
possible  to  dislodge  them.  We  had  one  sharpshooter 
wounded  and  the  firing  was  at  times  quite  brisk. 

General  Augur  to-day  arrived  at  the  Plains,  where  he 
awaited  his  cavalry.6 

Saturday,  October  8. — The   infantry  here  were  now  rein- 

5  Manassas  Junction,  Oct  6,  1864. 

McCRiCKETT  to  McCALLUM  :  "  Rebel  force  on  the  Gap  Road  at  Salem,  be 
tween  us  and  construction  corps.  All  the  material  forwarded  since  yesterday 
morning  is  still  this  side  of  Plains.  Have  just  returned  here  from  Plains,  where 
I  saw  Colonel  Gailupe  with  600  men,  who  was  compelled  to  fall  back  from  Sa 
lem  and  intrench  at  Plains.  He  ordered  all  trains  to  be  sent  this  side  of 
Thoroughfare  Gap  or  to  Manassas.  Four  succeeded  in  reaching  here,  and  one 
engine  and  three  cars  are  now  on  the  way  between  the  Gap  and  Manassas.  It 
is  just  reported  that  engine  '  Grapeshot '  and  12  cars  of  railroad  material  are 
a  perfect  wreck  at  Thoroughfare  Gap.  Report  says  the  track  was  blown  up, 
but  I  think  the  train  ran  off  the  switch.  The  construction  corps  is  out  of  mate 
rial.  Colonel  Gailupe  says  he  will  endeavor  to  advance  early  in  the  morning, 
but  he  will  take  the  pike  road.  This  course  will  not  assist  us  much,  as  the  rebel 
fore 2  at  Salem  is  supposed  to  have  destroyed  the  track.  A  strong  force  should 
advance  on  the  railr  >ad  and  hold  Salem  until  a  connection  is  made  with  the  con 
struction  corps.  My  first  endeavor  will  be  to  clear  the  track  at  Thoroughfare 
Gap." 

6  AUGUR  to  WAITE  (Muddy  Branch)  Oct.  6  :  "  Collect  all  your  cavalry  as 
soon  as  possible,  leaving  only  a  guard  to  protect  your  camp,  and  proceed  with 
it  to  Middleburg  and  thence  to  Rectortown,  on  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad, 
where  I  will  meet  you.  It  is  possible  you  may  have  to  fight  Mosby  on  the  roa'd 
about  Middleburg.  Be  prepared  for  him.  Be  in  haste." 

AUGUR  (Plains)  to  HALLECK,  Oct.  7  :  "I  arrived  here  at  7  this  morning. 
The  telegraph  is  just  completed  to  this  point.  Mosby  had  possession  of 
Salem  for  a  while,  and  is  said  to  have  destroyed  a  good  deal  of  the  track  there. 
The  construction  train  is  now  at  Rectortown,  with  the  Fifth  Pennsylvania 
Heavy  Artillery,  well  protected.  It  is  said  Mosby  shelled  them  a  while  last 
night.  Nothing  is  heard  of  him  this  morning.  I  have  sent  5  co-r.panies 


.  MOSBV'S   RANGERS.  255 

forced  by  a  strong  force  of  cavalry,7  and  Mosby  had  to 
operate  with  more  caution.  The  artillery  was  concealed  in 
the  mountains.  Captain  Chapman,  with  a  portion  of  the 
command,  was  sent  to  operate  south  of  the  railroad  ;  Capt. 
A.  E.  Richards  crossed  over  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
while  Mosby  himself,  with  another  portion  of  the  commandr 
kept  on  the  north  of  the  railroad. 

Sunday,  October  9.- — As  one  of  our  men  was  riding  along 
the  road  near  Piedmont,  he  saw  a  Federal  soldier  robbing 
the  body  of  a  dead  Confederate.  Levelling  his  pistol  he 
fired,  mortally  wounding  the  Federal.  Then  riding  up,  he 
discovered  the  Confederate  to  be  Lieutenant  Ames  of  Com 
pany  F,  familiarly  known  as  "  Big  Yankee,"  from  his  having 
deserted  from  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry.  He  had  long 
been  a  brave  and  faithful  follower  of  Mosby.  His  death 
was  regretted  by  all,  as  he  was  a  universal  favorite  with  the 
command.  He  was  buried  close  to  the  spot  where  he  met 
his  death. 

A  lieutenant  with  an  escort  of  16  men  from  the  Second 
Ohio  Cavalry,  carrying  dispatches  to  Winchester,  arrived 
in  Upperville  this  morning.  John  Thomas,  C.  A.  Fox,  John 
Hern,  Jas.  Keith  and  a  few  others  were  sent  in  pursuit  and 
overtook  the  party  in  Ashby's  Gap  near  the  toll-gate.  In 
the  encounter,  9  of  the  Federals  and  1 6  horses  were  captured. 
The  remaining  7  fled  to  the  mountains,  but  before  night  all 

from  here  to  Salem,  and  requested  the  construction  train  to  return  there  and  re 
pair  the  road.  There  is  a  large  and  heavy  train  off  the  track  at  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  which  will  not  be  cleared  away  before  this  afternoon  so  that  trains  can 
pass.  As  soon  as  the  cavalry  arrives,  all  will  be  well  here.'' 

7  RAYMOND  to  AUGUR,  Oct.  7:  "  Major  Ludlam  reports  that  at  noon  to 
day  he  will  move  with  7  companies  of  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  to  Rectortown, 
via  Middleburg." 

LAZELLE  to  TAYLOR,  Oct.  7:  "Colonel  Gansevoort  left  Alexandria  this 
morning  with  625  men,  for  Rectortown." 

McCRiCKETT,  Superintendant,  to  General  McCAUUM,  Oct.  7:  "The 
wreck  at  Thoroughfare  Gap  is  clear  and  track  repaired,  and  three  trains  have 
arrived  at  Plains.  It  is  reported  that  considerable  track  is  destroyed  between 
Salem  and  Rectortown.  Colonel  Gallupe,  commanding  at  Plains,  has  sent 
word  to  Mr.  Wentz  of  the  condition  of  the  road  at  Salem.  800  cavalrymen, 
with  horses,  etc.,  have  been  forwarded  from  here  by  train  since  9  a.  m.  I 
-expect  to  have  1,200  on  the  way  before  dark,  and  one  traia  railroad  material." 


256  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

came  into  Paris  and  gave  themselves  up.     The  dispatches, 
which  were  in  cipher,  were  sent  to  Richmond. 

Lieut.  Walter  Bowie,  of  Company  F,  a  Marylander,  with 
Jas.  G.  Wiltshire,  Charles  Vest,  —  -  Ratcliffe,  George  Smith, 
G.  M.  O'Bannon,  Haney  and  J.  Randolph,  made  a  daring 
little  scout  through  Maryland.  They  crossed  the  Potomac 
at  Matthias'  Point,  and  going  to  Port  Tobacco,  captured 
17  Federal  soldiers  and  8  horses.  Paroling  the  prisoners, 
they  took  the  horses  and  went  to  the  vicinity  of  Annapolis, 
which  place  Bowie  entered  and  rode  through  the  streets. 
From  thence  they  went  to  Sandy  Springs,  two  miles  from 

Rockville.  While  in  a  thick  body 
••  of  pines  feeding  their  horses,  they 
heard  voices  outside  saying : 
"  They're  in  here,"  and  found  they 
had  been  tracked  by  a  citizen,  with 
a  party  of  cavalry.  Leaving  their 
horses,  they  charged  out  on  foot, 
firing  as  they  came  out.  The  Fed- 
erals  fled.  Bowie,  mounting  his 
horse,  started  off  in  pursuit  before 
-yX  the  others  could  get  their  horses. 

Two  shots  were  heard  and  when 
his  comrades  got  out  on  the  road 

LIEUT.  WALTER  BOWIE,  ^      ^      Bowie       lying       Qn      the 

From  a  war-time  Photograph.          ground,  a  ball  haying  struck  him 

near  the  eye,  passing  out  the  back 

of  his  head.  He  was  taken  to  a  house  near  by,  where  he 
soon  died.  His  brother,  who  had  joined  the  party  en  route, 
remained  with  him.  After  the  death  of  Bowie,  his  compan 
ions  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Cheek's  Ford,  and  soon  were 
safe  in  "  Mosby's  Confederacy."  (See  Appendix.) 

On  the  loth  of  October,  50  prisoners,  chiefly  infantry, 
which  had  been  picked  up  in  small  parties  along  the  Ma- 
nassas  Gap  Railroad,  were  sent  South. 

By  this  time  trains  were  running  to  Piedmont,  and  this 
was  as  far  as  the  Federals  succeeded  in  running  their  trains. 
At  Piedmont  the  road  crosses  Goose  Creek,  which  is  here 
*~uite  a  stream  and  required  a  bridge,  which  was  never  built. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


257 


i 


Mosby  still  continued  to  annoy  the  Federals  along  the  road. 
The  cars  were  compelled  to  run  at  a  very  low  rate  of  speed, 
as  it  was  feared  Mosby, 
by  some  strategy,  would 
throw  them  off  the 
track.  The  trains  were 
sometimes  escorted  by 
infantry  guards,  who 
walked  by  the  side  of 
the  cars.  With  all  of 
these  precautions,  mis 
haps  would  often  occur. 
On  the  morning  of  Oc 
tober  loth,  Lieutenant 
Glascock,  with  a  small 
party,  displaced  a  few 
rails  and  lay  in  wait  for 
a  train.  It  came  slowly 
along  and  was  allowed 
to  pass ;  then  a  volley 
was  fired  into  the  rear 
of  it.  The  engineer  im 
mediately  put  on  steam, 
running  ahead  to  escape, 
when  a  general  smash- 
up  was  the  consequence.  A  number  of  Federal  officers  were 
on  the  train,  some  of  whom  were  killed.  Four  Confederate 
prisoners  were  on  the  train  and  in  the  confusion  escaped,  all 
unhurt  except  William  Fred,  who  had  his  arm  broken.6 

8AuGUR  to  HALLECK,  Oct.  10  :  "I  have  just  learned  that  a  rail  was  taken  up 
about  a  mile  this  side  of  Plains,  and  a  return  train  from  here  run  off  the  track, 
and  then  fired  upon  by  men  concealed  in  a  thicket  on  the  side.  I  have  not 
learned  the  amount  of  damage  done.  Simply  patrolling  the  track  and  guarding 
the  bridges  is  not  going  to  be  sufficient  on  this  road  ;  it  must  be  literally  guarded 
the  whole  way.  I  am  sending  back  a  battalion  of  cavalry  to  remain  in  the 
vicinity  of  Plains  and  thoroughly  search  the  vicinity  of  track." 

SLOUGH  to  Headquarters,  Washington,  Oct.  10  :  "The  rebels  displaced  a 
rail  a  short  distance  beyond  White  Plains  this  morning,  throwing  a  train  off  the 
track  ;  they  then  fired  into  it.  Mr.  McCrickett,  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
railroad,  and  several  others,  are  reported  killed." 


PHILIP  B.  EASTHAM,  CO.  B. 


258  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

A  party  of  about  100  Federal  cavalry  went  to  the  farm 
of  Major  Richard  H.  Carter,  "  Glen  Welby,"  about  2  miles 
from  Salem,  for  the  purpose  of  getting-  hay.  As  they  were 
leaving,  each  man  mounted  with  a  bundle  of  hay  piled  up 
before  him,  Lieutenant  Grogan  with  about  20  men  suddenly 
charged  them  in  a  narrow  lane,  killing  one  and  wounding  a 
number,  besides  capturing  10  horses.  The  Federals  were 
taken  by  surprise  and  burdened  with  their  plunder,  fled, 
scattering  their  hay  as  they  ran. 

On  the  following  day  Mosby  had  a  narrow  escape.  While 
in  the  woods  near  the  Plains  with  Montjoy's  company,  he 
rode  out  with  13  men  in  sight  of  a  Federal  camp.  A  body 
of  about  50  cavalry  started  out  in  pursuit,  but  instead  of 
charging,  they  dismounted  and  took  up  a  position  behind  a 
stone  fence,  to  fight  at  long  range.  Mosby  then  sent  for 
Montjoy,  and  fell  back  to  the  woods  to  draw  the  enemy  out. 
The  Federals  followed,  thinking  he  was  retreating.  Mosby 
then  turned  and  charged  them,  when  they,  no  doubt  fearing 
an  ambuscade,  wheeled  and  fled.  A  Federal  cavalryman, 
whom  Mosby  had  passed  in  the  chase,  shot  his  horse  and 
the  animal  fell,  pinning  Mosby  to  the  ground  in  the  midst  of 
his  enemies.  Seeing  his  situation  his  men  hastened  to  release 
him  and  he  came  out  safely,  riding  behind  one  of  the  men, 
his  only  injury  being  a  sprained  ankle.  Montjoy  charged 
and  drove  off  the  Federals,  who  lost  6  killed  and  wounded. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

October,  1864 — Richards  in  the  Valley — Capture  of  Ambulance  and  Escort — Colonel  Tolles, 
Sheridan's  Chief  Quartermaster,  and  Dr.  Ohlenschlager,  Medical  Inspector,  Mortally 
Wounded — "Jessie  Scouts" — "The  Greenback  Raid" — Letting  a  Train  Down  Easy — 
Capture  of  Major  Moore  and  Major  Ruggles  with  $168,000  in  Greenbacks — Paymasters 
Alarmed — -Captain  Chapman  in  Maryland — Alarm  Along  the  Potomac — Skirmish  with 
the  Loudoun  Rangers— Immense  Loss  to  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad — Capture  of 
Mosby's  Artillery — Mosby  in  Fairfax — Annandale — Falls  Church. 

Tuesday,  October  11, 186Jf>. — Capt.  A.  E.  Richards,  with  32 
men,  being  on  a  scout  in  the  Valley,  espied  an  ambulance 
driven  by  a  likely  negro  boy,  with  two  Federal  officers,  and 
escorted  by  a  detachment  of  the  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  passing  along  the  Valley  turnpike  from  the  direc 
tion  of  Winchester.  Near  Newtown,  Richards  suddenly 
charged  upon  their  rear,  and  only  2  escaped  of  the  entire 
party — 4  were  killed,  6  wounded,  and  19  prisoners  and  23 
horses  captured.  The  ambulance  was  also  brought  out, 
together  with  a  quantity  of  papers,  vouchers  and  documents, 
which  were  forwarded  to  Richmond. 

Among  the  Federal  wounded  was  Lieut.  Col.  Cornelius 
W.  Tolles,  who  had  been  General  Franklin's  Chief  Quarter 
master  on  the  Peninsula,  and  was  at  this  time  serving  in  the 
same  capacity  with  General  Sheridan ;  also,  Emil  Ohlen 
schlager,  Assist.  Surgeon  and  Medical  Inspector  on  Sheri 
dan's  staff — both  mortally.1 

1  Gen.  W.  H.  SEWARD  to  General  STEVENSON,  Oct.  12:  "Captain  Alex 
ander,  assistant-quartermaster,  General  Torbert's  staff,  just  from  the  front,  re 
ports  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tolles,  chief  quartermaster,  and  Dr.  Ohlen 
schlager,  with  an  escort  of  25  men,  who  started  from  Winchester  for  the  front 
yesterday  morning,  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  guerrillas,  variously  reported 
from  50  to  100,  three  miles  this  side  of  Middletown.  Colonel  Tolles  and  Dr. 
Ohlenschlager  were  both  mortally  wounded,  the  former  in  the  head  and  the 
latter  in  the  bowels  ;  last  report  no  hopes  of  their  recovery.  Four  of  the  escort 
were  killed  and  5  or  6  wounded.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tolles  and  Dr.  Ohlen 
schlager  were  taken  to  General  Sheridan's  headquarters,  which  are  now 
located  one  mile  this  side  of  Cedar  Creek." 

The  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  was  reprimanded  for  the  conduct  of  the 
escort,  which  was  unjust,  as  may  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  following  : 

Colonel   EDWARDS  to   Major   RUSSELL,  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen.,  Oct.  14:     "As 


260  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

Wednesday,  October  12. — Mosby  crossed  the  Shenandoah 
just  after  nightfall,  with  84  men,  and  moved  off  towards 
Bunker  Hill,  in  Sheridan's  rear.  All  day  on  the  i3th  we 
lay  near  the  Valley  turnpike,  picking  up  an  occasional 
straggler,  until  near  evening,  when  we  saw  a  detachment  of 
cavalry,  dressed  in  gray,  coming  from  the  direction  of  Win 
chester.  We  viewed  them  with  suspicion  for  some  time, 
and  finally  Colonel  Mosby  ordered  Lieutenant  Grogan  to 
take  a  few  men  and  meet  them.  Discovering  them  to  be 
"  Jessie  Scouts,"  Grogan  called  out  to  his  men: 

"  Come  on,  boys  ;  we'll  ride  over  them." 

But  the  "  Jessies  "  did  not  wait  to  be  ridden  over ;  they 
broke  and  ran,  with  a  loss  of  only  2  of  their  number — one 
being  killed  by  Charles  Dear  and  one  captured  by  Jas.  G. 
Wiltshire.2 

After  the  return  of  Grogan  and  his  party,  Mosby  marched 
off  towards  Duffield,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
Harry  Heaton,  one  of  our  Valley  scouts,  having  reported  a 
good  opening  in  that  quarter.  We  halted  about  10  o'clock 
at  night  about  two  miles  east  of  Kearneysville,  at  a  deep  cut 

Major  Durland  has  shown  to  me  your  reprimand  to  his  regiment,  I  feel  called 
upon  to  state  that  I  have  never  seen  a  better  disciplined  cavalry  regiment  than 
the  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  They  have  been  worked  very  hard  on 
escort  duty,  and  of  all  the  dispatches  carried  by  them,  but  one  has  been  lost. 
The  escort  in  charge  of  the  dispatch  I  refer  to  was  in  charge  of  a  sergeant  who 
cut  his  way  through  and  arrived  at  Edenburg  safely,  where  he  was  furnished 
an  escort  from  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  to  proceed  to  Harrisburg. 
That  escort  was  captured,  together  with  the  sergeant  and  his  dispatches.  In 
every  other  case  they  have  cut  their  way  through  twice  their  number  and  safely 
delivered  their  dispatches.  The  escort  accompanying  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Tolles  I  think  was  ready  to  do  all  that  men  could  do.  I  learn  that  the  rear 
guard  gave  timely  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  guerrillas,  that  the  lieutenant  in 
charge  wished  to  turn  and  meet  them,  that  Colonel  Tolles  gave  him  orders  not 
to  do  so,  but  to  move  on  at  a  steady  trot.  This  enabled  the  enemy  to  come 
close  enough  to  charge,  and  they  being  much  better  mounted  were  able  to 
charge  into  the  midst  of  the  escort.  Perhaps  the  lieutenant  should  have  com 
manded  his  escort  in  his  own  way,  but  I  do  not  consider  him  much  to  blame. 
I  have  felt  called  upon  to  write  this  in  justice  to  the  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  and  though  Major  Durland  requests  to  be  ordered  to  the  front,  I  trust 
he  will  not  be  relieved." 

2  SEWARD  to  STEVENSON,  October  14  :  "  So  far  as  I  can  learn,  all  small 
parties  on  the  Winchester  pike  yesterday  were  attacked. " 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


26l 


in  the  road  near  Brown's  Crossing,  which  Nature  seemed  to 
have  provided  for  our  undertaking.  The  men  were  dis 
mounted  and  Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher,  with  a  few  men,  was 
sent  forward  to  displace  a  few  rails  in  this  cut,  where  the 
cars  could  be  thrown  from  the  track  with  the  least  injury  to 
the  passengers. 

It  was  a  clear,  starlight  night,  the  air  was  chilly,  and  the 
men  hurried  through  their  work  and  lay  down  by  the  road 
side.  Soon  the  sound  of  an  approaching  train  broke  on  the 
stillness.  Every  one  was  on  the 
alert,  but  the  train  rushed  by, 
leaving  the  astonished  Rangers 
looking  after  it  as  it  sped  on 
ward,  as  though  uncertain 
whether  to  mount  their  horses 
and  start  in  pursuit,  or  simply 
to  sit  down  and  "  cuss."  Only 
one  track  had  been  obstructed, 
and  the  east-bound  train  had 
passed  safely  on  its  way.  Both 
tracks  were  now  effectually 
blocked,  by  elevating  a  rail  of 
each  track  at  an  angle  sufficient 
to  enable  the  engine  of  the 
coming  train  to  turn  over 
gracefully  and  nestle  gently  in 
the  cut.  Then  we  again  waited, 
but  not  long.  Between  2  and  3 

o'clock  in  the  morning  (i4th)  the  west-bound  train  came 
rattling  along  at  customary  speed,  and  the  engine  per 
formed  the  turn-over  trick  quite  to  our  most  sanguine 
expectations,  only  one  man,  the  engineer,  being  injured. 

As  soon  as  the  train  came  to  a  halt,  James  Wiltshire  and 
Charles  Dear  ran  down  the  bank  and  boarded  the  train. 
They  separated,  Wiltshire  entering  the  car  on  his  left  and 
Dear  the  car  to  his  right.  As  Dear  entered,  he  saw  the  car 
was  filled  with  passengers — ladies  and  gentlemen — and  a 
few  soldiers.  As  he  demanded  a  surrender,  a  soldier  in  the 
far  end  of  the  car  arose  from  his  seat  and  drew  his  pistol. 


LIEUT.-COL.  CORNELIUS  W. 

TOLLES, 

Chief  Quartermaster  of  Sheridan's  Army. 

Killed  near  Newtown,  in  the  Shenandoah 

Valley,  October  n,  1864. 


262  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Dear  fired  on  him  and  he  fell.  Noticing  a  group  of  five 
officers  around  the  stove,  Dear  walked  up  to  them  and 
ordered  them  to  surrender.  He  attempted  to  take  a  satchel 
from  one  of  the  officers,  and  as  the  man  refused  to  give  it  up 
his  fellow  officers  told  him  he  had  better  give  it  up  or  they 
would  be  killed.  The  cause  of  his  reluctance  to  part  with 
the  satchel  was  apparent  to  Dear  when  he  marched  his  pris 
oners  from  the  train  and  turned  them  over  to  Colonel 
Mosby.  To  his  surprise,  he  then  learned  that  it  was  filled 
with  greenbacks ;  that  among  his  prisoners  were  Major 
Moore  and  Major  Ruggles,  paymasters,  with  their  funds. 
The  other  officers  were  2  captains  and  i  lieutenant.3 

Before  setting  fire  to  the  cars  Mosby  ordered  all  the  pas- 

8  General  STEVENSON  to  ST ANTON,  Oct.  14  :  "  General  Seward  reported  by 
telegraph  this  morning  that  the  express  train  going  west  was  captured  at  a 
point  two  miles  east  of  Kearney sville  by  a  party  of  rebel  raiders  100  strong. 

The  passengers  were  robbed  and  train  burned.  Major  Moore,  paymaster, 
with  his  funds,  was  captured.  As  soon  as  they  destroyed  the  train,  he  reports 
that  they  moved  off  in  the  direction  of  Winchester.  I  immediately  sent  toward 
Charlestown,  to  endeavor  to  intercept  them,  all  the  cavalry  at  this  post — about 
loo,  poorly  mounted — and  have  but  little  hopes  of  their  coming  up  with  the 
enemy.  General  Seward  also  dispatched  two  detachments  in  pursuit.  I  have 
not  heard  from  any  of  them  up  to  this  hour.  Trains  have  been  sent  to  the  point 
of  attack  to  repair  damages,  the  track  being  partially  destroyed.  Will  advise 
you  of  all  particulars  as  soon  as  received." 

STEVENSON  to  STANTON,  Oct.  14:  "Just  heard  from  captured  train.  The 
attacking  party  was  part  of  Mosby 's  command.  They  removed  a  rail,  causing 
train  to  be  thrown  off  the  track,  then  robbed  passengers  and  burned  the  train. 
The  point  of  attack  was  about  2  miles  east  of  Kearneysville,  about  2.30  a.  m. 
Paymasters  Moore  and  Ruggles,  with  their  funds,  were  captured  and  carried  off. 
The  whole  affair  did  not  last  more  than  one  hour,  the  enemy  retiring  in  great 
haste  in  direction  of  Winchester.  General  Seward  telegraphs  that  his  courier 
parties  were  attacked  last  night  twice  by  Mosby 's  command,  between  Bunker 
Hill  and  Winchester,  and  dispersed.  Says  Mosby  with  his  entire  command  is 
between  Winchester  and  Bunker  Hill,  with  view  to  capture  small  parties  and 
attack  trains.  I  have  no  cavalry  force  here  to  operate  with.  Colonel  Edwards 
has  a  regiment  at  Winchester,  and  will  doubtless  make  an  effort  to  disperse 
them.  I  shall  send  orders  to  him  to  do  so  at  ance.  My  pursuing  party  not 
heard  from." 

STEVENSON  to  STANTON,  Oct.  14 :  "  The  cavalry  sent  out  in  pursuit  of 
Mosby's  guerrillas  who  burned  the  train  have  returned.  Report  that  they  failed 
to  overtake  them.  They  learned  that  they  moved  off  in  the  direction  of  the 
Shenandoah,  and,  having  several  hours'  start,  succeeded  in  getting  away  with 
their  prisoners  and  plunder." 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  263 

sengers  out.  In  one  of  the  cars  were  a  number  of  emigrants, 
who  could  not  or  would  not  understand  the  orders  to  vacate 
the  premises.  There  being  a  quantity  of  newspapers — 
weeklies  and  dailies — in  the  hands  of  the  newsvender  on  the 
train,  they  were  used  to  make  a  light  blaze  and  a  great 
smoke  in  the  car.  This  was  a  language  perfectly  intelligi 
ble  to  the  unlearned  and  the  unruly,  and  caused  a  general 
stampede  from  the  car. 

The  cars  being  emptied  of  their  human  freight,  Mosby 
gave  orders  to  burn  the  train.  At  the  same  time  he  told 
Grogan  to  take  Dear  and  Wiltshire,  with  the  greenbacks, 
and  cross  the  river  as  speedily  as  possible.  One  of  the 
horses  stumbled  or  fell  over  a  stump  in  the  darkness,  and 
the  package  was  broken  open  in  the  fall.  Relating  this  cir 
cumstance  to  me  afterwards,  Grogan  said  : 

"  We  gathered  it  up  hastily.  As  to  the  loss,  if  any,  we 
knew  little  and  cared  less,  as  a  few  thousand  out  of  the  pile 
was  of  small  concern  to  us.  We  soon  crossed  over  the  river 
and  slept  the  remaining  hours  of  that  night  in  a  mountain 
cabin,  quite  regardless  of  newly  acquired  wealth. 

"  All  met  next  day  at  Bloomfield  in  Loudoun  County,  ex 
amined  into  the  condition  of  our  Sub  U.  S.  Treasury,  and 
finding  there  a  net  surplus  of  $168,000,  the  same  was  divided 
among  our  stockholders  ($2,000  each)  and  circulated  so 
freely  in  Loudoun  that  never  afterwards  was  there  a  pie  or 
blooded  horse  sold  in  that  section  for  Confederate  money." 

This  expedition  was  always  spoken  of  as  the  "  Greenback 
Raid."* 

General  Lee  reported  this  affair  to  Secretary  Seddon,  as 
follows : 

"  On  the  i4th  instant  Colonel  Mosby  struck  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad  at  Duffield's  ;  destroyed  U.  S.  military 
train  consisting  of  locomotive  and  10  cars,  securing  20  pris 
oners  and  1 5  horses.  Among  the  prisoners  are  two  paymas 
ters  with  $168,000  in  Government  funds." 

4  General  SEWARD  wrote  General  STEVENSON  :  ' '  Some  of  the  paymasters 
are  much  alarmed,  but  I  guess  I  can  take  care  of  them." 

That  they  were  alarmed,  is  evident  from  this  : 

Martinsburg,  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Paymaster  LADD  to  Major  BRICE  :  "I  have  my  funds  in  the  parlor  of  the 
United  States  Hotel  here,  guarded  by  a  regiment.  The  express  train  was 


264  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Friday,  October  14- — Capt.  William  Chapman,  with  about 
80  men,  crossed  the  Potomac  at  White's  Ford,  four  miles 
below  the  Mouth  of  Monocacy,  and  moved  up  the  tow- 
path,  burning  eight  or  ten  canal  boats  with  their  freight,  after 
first  securing  the  horses  and  mules  ;  passing  through  Licks- 
ville  to  Adamstown,  cutting  the  telegraph  wires  along  the 
route. 

Chapman's  object  was  to  strike  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad  near  this  point,  but  learning  that,  owing  to  the 
capture  of  the  train  near  Duffield  by  Mosby,  no  trains  would 
come  from  Harper's  Ferry,  he  set  out  to  return,  as  his  pres 
ence  was  now  known  to  the  Federal  troops,  which  occupied 
all  the  principal  points  along  the  river,  and  they  would  seek 
to  intercept  him  on  his  way  home.  A  company  of  Loudoun 
Rangers,  under  Captain  Grubb,  camped  at  Adamstown^ 
drew  up  in  line,  and  as  Chapman  moved  off,  followed  at  a 
safe  distance.  Capt.  Wm.  Chapman  said  to  his  brother 
Samuel,  who  urged  him  to  start  in  pursuit  of  them  :  *'  Sam,  I 

burned  8  miles  west  of  Harper's  Ferry  between  2  and  3  o'clock  this  a.  m. 
Major  Ruggles'  clerk  escaped,  and  is  now  with  me.  He  reports  Major  Rug- 
gles  and  money  taken.  I  also  have  the  fact  of  his  and  Major  Moore's  capture 
from  other  passengers  on  the  train.  Cannot  say  certainly  about  Major  Moore. 
It  is  reported  that  Major  Ruggles  is  recaptured,  and  is  safe  at  Harper's  Ferry. 
Was  up  most  of  last  night.  General  Seward,  who  is  in  command  here,  says  he 
will  use  all  his  efforts  to  protect  us  and  our  money.  I  shall  make  no  move 
until  I  can  do  so  with  safety,  and  in  the  meantime  wait  orders  from  yourself 
and  Major  Paulding.  Please  show  this  to  him." 

The  moral  effect  of  this  capture  was  not  confined  to  paymasters  alone,  as 
will  be  seen  by  the  following  : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

Washington,  Oct.  U,  1864. 
Brigadier-General  L.  THOMAS, 

Adjutant-General  U.  S.  Army, 

(with  6  regiments  of  colored  troops  en  route  for  Baltimore), 

Wheeling,   W.    Va. ,  Balto.  and  Ohio  Depot  : 

A  part  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  between  Martinsburg  and  Har 
per's  Ferry,  is  broken  by  Mosby's  guerrillas,  who  may  attack  other  parts  of 
the  line.  The  Secretary  thinks  it  may  not  be  safe  for  your  troops  to  come  over 
it.  He  says  you  are  not  restricted  to  that  road,  and  if  you  send  the  troops  over 
it,  you  must  be  sure  proper  precautions  are  taken  for  their  safety.  Answer. 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


265 


haven't  time  to  stop  and  go  off  on  a  fox-hunt  after  Grubb," 
and  ordered  his  men  to  move  off  at  a  trot.  Grubb's  men, 
mistaking-  this  for  a  hasty  retreat,  came  trotting  on  at  a 
lively  pace.  When  they  were  within  striking  distance,  Chap 
man  suddenly  turned  and  charged  them,  killing  and  wound 
ing  4  or  5,  capturing  7,  with  their  horses  and  equipments, 
and  scattering  the  rest. 

Reaching  the  canal,  Chapman  found  a  detachment  of  in 
fantry  tearing  up  the  bridge  and  throwing  the  timber  into 
the  canal.  He  quickly  dispersed  them,  relaid  the  bridge 
and  crossing  the  Potomac  at  Cheek's  Ford,  reached  the 
Virginia  shore  in  safety,  without  having  a  man  injured.6 


5Capt.  James  W.  Grubb  was  born 
near  Lovettsville,  in  Loudoun  County, 
Va.,  August  17,  1839;  enlisted  in 
Cole's  Maryland  Cavalry  as  a  private 
in  September,  1861 ;  was  commissioned 
Captain  of  Company  B,  Independent 
Loudoun  (Virginia)  Rangers,  Capt. 
Samuel  C.  Means  commanding,  about 
November,  1863,  Captain  Grubb  died 
March  5,  1895,  at  Bolivar,  West  Va. 

6  W.  P.  Smith  wrote  J.  W.  Garrett, 
President  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
R.  R.,  Oct.  15:  "The  two  affairs 
(Duffield  and  Adamstovvn)  have  badly 
deranged  the  working  of  the  road,  and 
will  involve  an  immense  loss  to  the 
company  in  every  way." 

STEVENSON  to  STANTON,  October 
14 :  "  The  force  of  the  enemy  that 
crossed  the  Potomac  to-day  were  a 
portion  of  Mosby's  command,  about 
250  strong.  They  crossed  at  White's 
Ferry,  about  5  miles  below  the  mouth 

of  the  Monocacy;  moved  out  to  Adamstown,  at  which  point  they  were  met  by 
the  Loudoun  County  Rangers,  and  finally  driven  back  across  the  river.  The 
loss  on  our  side  reported  4  men  ;  enemy's  not  known.  They  burned  5  canal 
boats  and  stole  a  few  horses.  Their  purpose  was  evidently  a  raid,  including  an 
attack  on  railroad  trains." 

BURTNETE  (Point  of  Rocks)  to  STEVENSON,  Oct.  14:  "  Two  men  have  this 
moment  come  in  from  Adamstown.  Rangers  charged  and  drove  enemy,  who 
in  turn  charged  and  scattered  our  force.  I  have  sent  to  have  Grubb  rally  and 
keep  his  men  together  at  all  hazards.  I  have  no  horse,  or  I  would  go.  First 


CAPT.  JAMES  W.  GRUBB,'' 

Independent  Loudoun  (Virginia)  Rangers 

(Federal.) 


266 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


While  Colonel  Mosby  was  absent  with  one  portion  of  the 
command  on  the  "  Greenback  Raid  "  in  the  Valley,  Captain 
Chapman,  with  another  portion,  in  Maryland  and  along  the 

Potomac,  and  other 
details  scouting  in 
Fairfax  and  in  the 
Valley,  Capt.  Frank 
lin  hid  the  artillery 
at  Emory's,  a  se 
cluded  spot  on  the 
Cobbler  Mountain, 
and  Sergeant  A.  G. 
Babcock,  with  a  few 
trusty  men,  were  left 
as  guards.  One  John 
H.  Lunzeford,  who 
was  detailed  to  act  as 
guide  and  to  assist  in 
concealing  the  bat 
tery,  afterwards  de 
serted  and  piloted 
Colonel  Gansevoort, 
with  the  Thirteenth 
and  Sixteenth  New 
York  Cavalry  and 
two  companies  of  the  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Artillery,  to  the 
place  of  concealment.  The  four  guns,  together  with  the 
guard,  consisting  of  Sergeant  Babcock,  John  L.  Aylor,  E. 
M.  Jones,  Nathaniel  Pontier,  D.  L.  Smith  and  A.  G.  Whar- 

train  got  through,  but  the  second  is  just  now  back.  There  certainly  are  from 
200  to  300." 

BURTNETE  to  STEVENSON,  Oct.  14. — Later:  "Captain  Grubb,  Loudoun 
Rangers,  100  men,  sent  back  for  reinforcements.  Reports  250  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry  between  Adamstown  and  Monocacy  River  stealing  horses.  General 
Tyler,  at  Monrovia,  has  been  informed;  Government  wires  cut.  I  have  directed 
Grubb  to  follow  up  and  pitch  into  them  at  the  first  opportunity;  at  all  events, 
to  hold  the  enemy  and  annoy  him  until  further  developments.  Will  wait  direc 
tions  from  you.  Spence  caught  the  operator,  and  he  will  keep  him." 

STEVENSON  to  BURTNETE,  Oct.  14 :  "Dispatch  received.  All  right.  What 
force  is  it  ?  Send  word  to  Grubb  to  give  them  no  rest.  Direct  cavalry  scout 


COL.  HENRY  S.  GANSEVOORT, 
Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  267 

ton,  were  all  captured  and  carried  off  by  Colonel  Gansevoort. 
Babcock  and  his  companions  were  afterwards  brought  from 
prison,  put  into  a  box-car  next  to  the  locomotive,  and  sent 
up  and  down  the  railroad  from  Rectortown  to  Alexandria 
for  five  weeks,  to  deter  Mosby  from  throwing  trains  off  the 
track. 7 

sent  down  from  here  to  unite  with  Grubb's  conynand  and  give  all  assistance 
possible.  Shall  send  down  to-night  additional  cavalry." 

BURTNETE  to  STEVENSON:  "  Captain  Grubb  returned  here  half  an  hour  since, 
and  said  the  enemy  were  retreating  toward  the  river,  but  he  thought  best  not  to 
follow.  I  ordered  him  immediately  back.  Since  then  2  of  his  men  have  come 
in  who  followed  the  enemy  and  saw  about  100  of  them  cross.  Grubb  has  lost 
3  or  4  men  ;  the  enemy's  loss  is  not  known.  They  have  all  doubtless  crossed 
by  this  time.  Becoming  alarmed,  Grubb  is  reprehensible  for  this  retiring,  and 
he  met  my  order  on  the  way  coming  in.  I  have  sent  down  the  infantry  as  a 
precautionary  movement.  I  would  not  advise  the  sending  of  any  further  force. 
They  are  supposed  to  be  '  Mosby's  Men.'  " 

SPENCE  to  STEVENSON,  Oct.  14:  "The  rebels  reported  crossing  at  White's 
Ferry,  and  moving  toward  Frederick,  the  boatmen  say,  with  a  large  force.  I 
have  sent  the  Loudoun  Rangers  to  meet  them. " 

STEVENSON  to  SPENCE:  "  Move  out  with  all  your  infantry  force  to  assistance 
of  Captain  Grubb.  If  there  are  not  more  than  250  cavalry  you  ought  to  whip 
them  easily." 

SPENCE  to  STEVENSON:  "  I  moved  down  the  canal  to  cut  them  off." 

STEVENSON  to  Major  FRENCH,  commanding  Remount  Camp,  Pleasant 
Valley,  Md. :  "  Move  with  all  your  available  cavalry  at  once  to  Point  of  Rocks, 
Md. ;  unite  your  force  with  the  forces  in  that  vicinity,  and  attack  a  body  of  rebel 
cavalry  near  Adamstown.  The  rebel  force  is  reported  to  be  between  200  and 
300.  If  they  have  moved  from  that  point,  follow  them  up  and  capture  or 
destroy  them." 

BURTNETE  to  STEVENSON,  Oct.  14:  "All  quiet  on  the  Potomac.  They  have 
all  recrossed.  Passenger  trains  east  have  gone  on.  Have  directed  Grubb  to 
remain  at  river  until  further  orders.  Captain  Spence's  command  are  now  here, 
but  in  readiness.  He  deserves  credit  for  his  promptness  in  the  matter.  Will 
return  on  next  freight  train,  unless  otherwise  ordered." 


7  Colonel  Gansevoorts  Report. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY, 

Near  Piedmont,   Va.,  Oct.  15,  1864. 

GANSEVOORT  to  AUGUR  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  portion  of  the 
Sixteenth  New  York  under  my  command,  being  2  squadrons,  moved,  as  ordered, 
at  an  early  hour  this  morning,  by  way  of  Orlean  to  Plains  to  report  to  Colonel 
Albright.  This  leaves  the  entire  force  under  my  command,  four  squadrons  of 
my  regiment,  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry.  .The  movement  last  night, 
T^hich  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Colonel  Mosby's  pieces,  was  engaged  in  by  my 
regiment,  two  squadrons  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  and  two  com- 


268  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Colonel  Mosby  sent  the  following  report  to  General  Lee 
announcing-  the  capture  of  his  artillery  : 

Near  Upperville,  Va.,  October  23,  1864. 
GENERAL:  I  desire  to  make  an  explanation  in  reference 
to  the  capture  of  my  artillery,  which  you  have  probablv 
seen  in  Secretary  Stanton's  official  bulletin.  After  the  enemy 
had  accumulated  such  a  force  on  the  Manassas  road  that  I 
could  no  longer  oppose-their  progress  in  front,  I  withdrew 
my  command  inside  their  lines  north  of  the  road,  in  order 
to  be  in  a  position  to  assail  both  Sheridan's  communications 
in  the  Valley  and  also  to  strike  the  road  whenever  oppor 
tunity  offered.  My  artillery  was  sent  out  to  a  place  of  con 
cealment  in  Fauquier.  Unfortunately,  one  of  my  men, 
deserted  and  guided  the  enemy  to  where  it  was.  They  cap 
tured  no  men  or  horses  with  it.  Since  their  advance  up  the 
railroad,  we  have  killed  and  captured  over  300  of  them. 
My  loss  so  far  has  been  only  four  wounded  and  one  cap 
tured. 


panics  of  the  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Artillery.  My  surmise  that  this  artillery  was 
concealed  in  the  long  range  of  mountains  called  the  Cobblers,  was  confirmed  by 
a  statement  drawn  from  a  prisoner,  and  it  was  determined  to  develop  the 
locality.  At  9  p.  m.  i4th  instant,  the  above  force  was  moved  over  very  intricate 
roads  to  a  point  at  the  base  of  the  mountains,  where  a  sort  of  bivouac  was  sur 
prised  and  9  members  of  the  battery  captured,  including  Babcock,  late  captain 
C  S.  Army,  in  charge  of  the  artillery.  This  determined  but  little  the  localities 
of  the  pieces,  and  some  time  was  vainly  spent  in  skirmishing  the  mountain 
with  my  dismounted  cavalry  and  Company  E,  Fifth  Artillery.  The  localities 
of  the  pieces  was  even  a  secret  not  imparted  to  many  of  Mosby's  men.  By 
intimidation,  however,  when  almost  relinquishing  the  task,  a  driver  of  the 
artillery  was  forced  to  discover  the  trail  of  the  pieces.  By  deploying  skir 
mishers  and  moving  up  the  precipitous  side  of  the  mountain,  covered  with 
heavy  undergrowth,  for  about  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  following  its  summit  for 
some  distance,  the  three-inch  ordnance  gun,  12-pounder  howitzer,  and  two  small 
mountain  howitzers,  with  limber  of  caisson,  sets  of  harness,  and  ammunition, 
were  discovered  in  a  dense  thicket.  These  were  drawn  down  the  stony  sides 
of  the  mountain  to  the  command  below,  and  thence  to  Piedmont,  reaching 
camp  at  6  a.  m.  to-day.  I  desire  to  mention  Lieutenant  Revell,  Thirteenth 
New  York  Cavalry,  and  Captain  Anderson,  Company  E,  Fifth  Artillery,  who 
rendered  valuable  assistance.  As  desired,  I  have  dismounted  the  pieces  with 
the  exception  of  the  small  mountain  howitzer,  weighing  only  250  pounds  which 
I  have  repaired,  replenished  with  ammunition,  and  would  respectfully  ask  per 
mission  to  retain  with  my  regiment  till  it  returns  to  camp.  I  have  it  drawn 
by  two  horses,  and  manned  by  old  artillerists.  The  other  three  pieces  are  sent 
by  train  as  you  directed.  Prisoners,  seven  of  whom  I  send,  report  that  a  force 
is  expected  here  from  the  rebel  column  in  the  Valley,'' 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


269 


To  which  General  Lee  replied  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA,  / 

October  29,  1864.      f 

COLONEL:  Your  letter  of  October  23d  has  been  re 
ceived.  I  regret  the  loss  of  your  artillery  and  will  endeavor 
to  have  it  supplied  as  soon  as 
practicable ;  but  owing  to  re 
cent  heavy  losses  of  artillery 
in  the  Valley,  there  may  be 
considerable  delay.  Mean 
time  I  hope  you  may  be  able 
to  capture  some  from  the 
enemy.  I  am  sincerely  grati 
fied  at  the  energy,  boldness, 
and  success  with  which  you 
have  so  unceasingly  oper 
ated.  I  hope  you  will  con 
tinue  to  damage  the  enemy 
on  the  Manassas  railroad  as 
much  as  possible.  As  your 
command  increases  it  will  be 
necessary  to  be  extremely 
watchful  as  to  the  character 
of  the  men  you  enlist.  Spare 
no  pains  to  interrupt  the  work 
and  use  of  the  railroad. 

The  quiet  which  reigned 
at  Rectortown  was  so  un 
usual  that  General  Augur 

communicated  the  fact  to  General  Halleck,  at  Washington, 
in  this  brief  epistle  : 

Rectortown,  October  15,  186 4. 

AUGUR  to  HALLECK  : — "  The  train  from  Alexandria  ar 
rived  and  reported  on  time  to-day  and  without  interference 
from  guerrillas.  Nothing  heard  from  General  Sheridan. 

On  the  day  following  (i6th)  he  reports  the  arrival  of 
General  Sheridan  at  Rectortown. 

Sunday,  October  16. — Command  met  at  Bloomfield.  Com 
panies  C,  E  and  F  remained  to  operate  along  the  rail 
road,  while  Mosby,  with  Companies  A,  B  and  D,  went 
down  in  Fairfax  to  attack  a  large  wagon  train  between 
Burke's  Station  and  Fairfax.  We  were  too  late,  how- 


DR.  EMIL  OHLENSCHLAGER, 

Medical  Inspector  on  General  Sherdian's  Staff. 

Killed  near  Newtown,  October  n,  1864. 


270  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

ever,  as  the  wagons  had  gone  into  camp,  with  a  heavy 
infantry  guard. 8 

We  then  moved  towards  Centreville,  built  fires  in  the  pines 
and  camped  for  the  night.  On  the  i/th  we  went  to  Annan- 
dale.  Two  men  were  sent  to  take  pickets  and  draw  out  the 
cavalry.  One  of  the  pickets  was  taken  and  the  other  es 
caped  to  camp.  The  cavalry  came  out.  We  halted  and 
remained  in  sight  for  some  time,  but  as  they  made  no  de 
monstration,  Companies  A  and  B  advanced  towards  them, 
when  they  hurried  inside  of  their  fortifications.9  Compa 
nies  A  and  B  then  proceeded  along  the  Ox  Road  in  the 
direction  of  Frying  Pan,  and  thence  home. 

General  Augur  had  been  notified  of  Mosby's  presence  in 
Fairfax,  and  while  Augur's  cavalry  were  being  sent  to 

8  TAYLOR  to  SLOUGH,  Oct.  15  :  "  It  is  reported  that  a  train  of  quartermasters' 
wagons  (100)  between  Burk's  Station  and  Fairfax  are  exposed  to  surprise  from 
guerrillas.     Please  take  such  measures  as  will  insure  the  safety  of  the  train." 

SLOUGH  to  TAYLOR  :  "  Nothing  to  report  this  evening  except  that  200  men 
have  been  sent  to  guard  the  quartermaster's  train  of  wagons." 

SLOUGH  to  TAYLOR,  Oct.  17  :"  Colonel  Barnes,  at  Fairfax  Station,  has  satis 
fied  himself  that  200  or  300  rebel  cavalry  are  now  south  of  him  near  Braddock 
Road.  The  telegraph  is  not  working  beyond  Manassas.  Have  you  any  cavalry 
to  send  out  in  direction  of  Burk's  ?  Anticipating  Mosby's  next  appearance  at 
this  end  of  the  line  I  have  strengthened  it  very  much." 

9  TAYLOR  to  AUGUR,  Oct.  17  :    "  It  is  reported  that  Mosby  has  driven  in 
Lazelle's  pickets  and  is  moving  on  Annandale  and  Fort  Buffalo,  camps  of  the 
Sixteenth  and  Thirteenth,  with  600  men.     The  number  must  be  exaggerated. 
Infantry  has  already  moved  from  De  Russy's  line  to  Buffalo,  and  I  have  ordered 
Slough  to  send  at  once  the  Fifth  Wisconsin  to  Annandale." 

TAYLOR  to  General  DE  RUSSY,  Oct.  17  :  "  Your  dispatch  received.  I  have 
telegraphed  General  Slough  to  send  at  once  500  infantry  to  Annandale.  A  small 
infantry  force  at  either  place,  at  Annandale  or  Buffalo,  will  be  sufficient  to  drive 
off  Mosby,  who  cannot  have  100  men." 

LAZELLE  to  DE  RUSSY,  Oct.  17  :  "In  reply  to  your  verbal  message  by  the 
messenger  sent  you,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  disposition  sug 
gested  by  you  has  already  been  made.  I  received  about  half  an  hour  since  a 
message  from  Captain  Schneider,  commanding  at  Annandale,  to  the  effect  that 
a  large  force  of  cavalry,  estimated  at  about  400  to  600,  had  been  seen  in  his 
vicinity  ;  his  picket  posts  had  been  driven  in,  etc.  He  says  he  will  do  his  best 
to  hold  his  stockade.  Mosby  was  in  Fairfax  Court  House  this  afternoon,  and 
it  is  believed  had  a  large  force  with  him.  Another  messenger  just  arrived  from 
Annandale.  Captain  Schneider  again  has  reported  that  a  large  force  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  are  about  him.  I  recommend  that  Annandale  be  reinforced  as 
soon  as  possible.  I  will  send  half  a  squadron  to  Annandale  at  once  from 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

Fairfax  in  pursuit,  Mosby  was  quietly  marching  back  to 
Loudoun.10 

Montjoy,  with  Company  D,  and  with  Bush.  Underwood 
as  guide,  moved  off  towards  Falls  Church,  and  at  night  pre 
pared  to  attack  the  camp.  The  pickets  were  captured,  and 
some  of  our  men  were  leading  horses  out  of  the  stables, 
when  the  camp  was  aroused.  The  blowing  of  a  horn,  which 
at  first  was  thought  by  our  men  to  denote  the  assembling  of 
a  party  of  coon  hunters,  was  discovered  to  be  a  signal  given 
by  a  citizen  named  Reed  to  alarm  the  camp.  Reed  was  shot 
by  one  of  our  men.  The  enemy,  now  thoroughly  aroused, 
opened  fire,  which  in  the  darkness  did  no  damage.  Three 
or  four  negro  infantry  were  killed  ;  6  prisoners  and  7  horses 
were  brought  out.11 

here.  I  recommend  that  a  company  of  infantry  be  sent  here  to  supply  their 
place.  But  I  can  hold  this  point,  I  think,  against  everything  that  Mosby  has. 
I  will  have  150  men  left  here." 

10  AUGUR  to  TAYLOR,  Oct.  18  :    "  I  have  sent  the  Eighth    Illinois  down 
through  Centreville  to  find  Mosby 's  force." 

TAYLOR  to  LUDLAM,  Oct.  18  :  "Mosby  passed  through  Falls  Church  last 
evening  toward  Vienna  with  perhaps  250  men.  The  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  has 
been  detached  from  Rectortown  in  pursuit." 

11  BIRDSALL  to  TAYLOR,  Oct.  19  :  "  About  2  a.  m.  on  the  morning  of  Oct. 
18,  a  force  of  Mosby's  men,  estimated  at  75,  entered  Falls  Church  village, 
halted  at  the  church  (brigade  hospital),  and  after  breaking  open  the  barn  of  Mr. 
Sines,  a  citizen  who  lives  opposite,  and  taking  therefrom  5  valuable  horses, 
passed  up  the  Alexandria  and  Lewinsville  pike  toward  Vienna.     The  post  at  the 
junction  of  the  Lewinsville  road  with  the  pike,  consisting  of  one  corporal  and 
three  men  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  was  captured,  with  one  horse. 
A  negro  named  Frank  Brooks,  belonging  to  the  citizens  home  guard  of  the  vil 
lage,  was  shot  dead  while  attempting  to  assist  the  picket  in  making  a  defense. 
Mr.  J.  B.  Reed,  a  citizen  and  a  member  of  the  same  guard,  with  one  of  his  ne 
gro  employes,  were  taken  prisoners  at  the  same  time.     Mr.  Reed  was  after 
wards  brutally  murdered  by  the  party  who  captured  him,  in  a  dense  pine  wood 
near  Hunter's  Mill,  and  his  body  has  been  found  and  brought  into  his  house. 
An  attempt  to  kill  the  negro  taken  with  Mr.  Reed  was  also  made,  and  the  reb 
els,  supposing  him  dead,  left  him  in  the  woods.     He  escaped  afterwards,  how 
ever,  and  has  but  a  slight  wound  in  the  head,  with  the  loss  of  an  ear,  blown  off 
by  a  pistol  shot.     There  is  no  doubt  concerning  the  murder  of  Mr.  Reed,  as 
the  surgeon,  who  has  made  an  examination  of  the  body,  states  that  the  skull  at 
the  base  of  the  brain  is  blown  to  atoms,  and  the  flesh  about  the  wound  is  filled 
with  powder,  as  if  the  pistol  had  been  placed  close  to  the  head.     The  negro  who 
escaped  brings  information  that  at  or  near  Vienna,  the  force  which  visited  Falls 
Church  was  joined  by  a  reserve  party  of  100  or  more  men." 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

October,  1864 — Camping  Out — Shebangs— Running  Citizens  and  Guerrillas  on  the  Railroad — 
General  Augur  Unable  to  Protect  and  Run  the  Road,  with  all  the  Force  at  his  Com 
mand—Killing  of  Jamieson  Ashby — Mosby's  Letter  to  General  Lee — Indorsement  by 
General  Lee  and  the  Secretary  of  War — Attack  on  Foragers  on  the  Piedmont  Road- 
Richards  in  the  Valley — Leslie's  Special  Artist  Loses  his  Pie— Mosby  in  Sheridan's 
Rear— Capture  of  General  Duffie— Attack  Wagon  Train  on  the  Winchester  Pike  - 
Captain  Frankland's  Fight  with  the  Eighth  Illinois  near  Upperville  —  Repulse  of 
"  Mosby's  Men"— Atkins,  Davis,  Gulick  and  Carrington  Killed— Murphy  Takes  his 
First  Lesson  from  Harry  Hatcher. 

While  the  forces  of  General  Augur  were  in  possession  of 
the  railroad,  but  few  of  our  men  would  sleep  in  houses, 
owing  to  the  danger  of  being  surprised.  Many  of  the  men 
put  up  little  shelters,  or  "  shebangs,"  as  they  .were  called,  in 
the  woods  and  in  hollows  where  they  could  not  be  seen 
from  the  roads.  These  were  made  of  poles,  covered  with 
brush  or  cornstalks ;  and  when  the  floor  was  spread  with 
dry  leaves  and  covered  with  blankets,  afforded  a  comfort 
able  lodging  place.  Our  horses  being  haltered  to  the  trees 
near  by,  with  bunches  of  hay  to  munch  on  during  the  night, 
we  slept  as  soundly  in  our  little  "  shebangs  "  as  in  feather 
beds,  except  when  some  careless,  sleepy  fellow  forgot  to 
take  off  his  spurs,  and  in  drawing  up  or  stretching  out  his 
feet  under  the  blankets,  would  rake  the  shins  of  his  unfor 
tunate  neighbor.  But  these  little  troubles  were  soon  for 
gotten.  Some  few  continued  to  sleep  in  doors,  but  nearly 
all  had  hiding  places,  entered  by  trap  doors  or  secret  panels, 
in  which  they  could  find  refuge  in  case  the  enemy  came. 
Mosby  and  one  or  two  companions  would  frequently  mount 
their  horses  after  dark  and  go  to  the  house  of  some  friend 
near  a  Federal  camp,  and  remain  there  all  night,  deeming 
that  the  safest  place  for  a  good  night's  sleep. 

Even  citizens  or  non-combatants,  particularly  those  living 
in  exposed  places,  were  compelled  to  leave  their  houses  at 
night  and  "  camp  out."  The  Federal  forces  on  the  railroad 
had  carried  off  a  number  of  citizens,  many  of  them  old  men, 

272 


MOSBY' S    RANGERS.  2/3 

and  kept  them  running  up  and  down  the  railroad,  in  order 
to  deter  Mosby  from  throwing  off  the  trains.1 

In  a  conversation  with  Colonel  Mosby  one  day,  he  said  : 
"  The  Yankees  are  worse  than  Chinese,  but  no  matter 
what  they  do,  I  Avill  not  swerve  one  inch  from  my  path  of 
duty.  They  might  as  well  place  women  and  children  in 
front  of  their  lines  of  battle.  My  mode  of  warfare  is  just  as 
legitimate  as  that  of  the  army  fighting  in  their  front.  I  am 
placed  here  to  annoy  them  and  interrupt  their  communica- 

1With  all  the  force  at  his  command  General  Augur  found  himself  unable  to 
open  and  guard  his  road.  In  a  dispatch  to  Halleck  he  says  :  "  Simply  patrolling 
he  track  and  guarding  the  bridges  is  not  going  to  be  sufficient  on  this  road;  it 
must  be  literally  guarded  the  whole  way." 

AUGUR  to  HALLKCK,  Oct.  10:  "  I  shall  commence  building  small  stockades, 
which  will  be  so  near  each  other  as  to  command  the  entire  track.  This  will 
economize  men.  If  this  does  not  answer  I  think  I  shall  have  to  adopt  some 
thing  like  Washburn's  plan  and  fit  up  on  each  train  quarters  for  prominent 
secessionists  to  accompany  it." 

HALLECK  to  AUGUR,  Oct.  n:  "Your  plan  of  putting  prominent  citizens  on 
trains  is  approved,  and  you  will  carry  it  into  effect.  They  should  be  so  con 
fined  as  to  render  escape  impossible,  and  yet  be  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy." 

HALLECK  to  MCCALLUM,  Oct.  12  :  "  The  Secretary  of  War  directs  that  in 
retaliation  for  the  murderous  acts  of  guerrilla  bands,  composed  of  and  assisted 
by  the  inhabitants  along  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  and  as  a  measure  neces 
sary  to  keep  that  road  in  running  order,  you  proceed  to  destroy  every  house 
within  five  miles  of  the  road  which  is  not  required  for  our  own  purposes,  or 
which  is  not  occupied  by  persons  known  to  be  friendly.  All  males  suspected  of 
belonging  to,  or  assisting  the  robber  bands  of  Mosby  will  be  sent  under  guard 
to  the  provost-marshal  at  Washington,  to  be  confined  in  the  Old  Capitol  Prison. 
The  women  and  children  will  be  assisted  in  going  north  or  south,  as  they  may 
select.  They  will  be  permitted  to  carry  with  them  their  personal  property  and 
such  provisions  as  they  may  require  for  their  own  use.  Forage,  animals  and 
grain  will  be  taken  for  the  use  of  the  United  States.  All  timber  and  brush  within 
musketry  fire  of  the  road  will  be  cut  down  and  destroyed.  Printed  notices 
will  be  circulated  and  posted  that  any  citizens  found  within  five  miles  of  the  road 
hereafter  will  be  considered  as  robbers  and  bushwhackers  and  be  treated  accord 
ingly.  Copies  of  these  instructions  will  be  sent  to  General  Augur  and  General 
Sheridan  with  orders  to  give  you  all  possible  military  aid  for  the  accomplishment 
of  these  objects.  The  inhabitants  of  the  country  will  be  notified  that  for  any 
further  hostilities  committed  on  this  road  or  its  employes  an  additional  strip  of 
ten  miles  on  each  side  will  be  laid  waste  and  that  section  of  country  entirely 
depopulated." 

WINSHIP  to  TAYLOR,  Oct.  16:  "I  have  turned  over  to  General  Slough  8  guer 
rillas  to  be  placed  on  the  trains  running  to  the  front." 


274 


MOSBV'S    RANGERS.  2/5 

tion  as  much  as  possible.  This  I  intend  doing,  and  should  I 
again  have  an  opportunity  of  throwing  off  a  train  I  will  do 
it,  even  if  I  knew  my  own  family  were  upon  it." 

Under  the  orders  received,  General  Augur  arrested  a 
number  of  prominent  citizens,  among  them  Jamieson,  Sam 
uel  and  Albert  Ashby,  relatives  of  the  renowned  Gen.  Turner 
Ashby,  and  these  old  men  were  taken  to  Rectortown  and 
placed  on  the  cars  running  up  and  down  the  road.  While 
in  the  hands  of  the  Federals,  Mr.  Jamieson  Ashby  was  shot 
in  the  head  by  one  of  the  guards  on  the  cars  ;  he  was  carried 
to  the  hospital  in  Alexandria,  where  he  died. 

These  and  other  important  matters  under  consideration 
at  the  time,  led  Colonel  Mosby  to  address  the  following  com 
munication  to  General  Lee.  The  indorsements  and  instruc 
tions  of  General  Lee  and  the  Secretary  of  War  are  sufficient 
evidence  of  their  approval  of  Mosby 's  acts  : 

Near  Middleburg,  October  29,  1864. 
General  R.  E.  LEE, 

Commanding  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

GENERAL:  I  desire  to  bring,  through  you,  to  the  notice 
of  the  Government  the  brutal  conduct  of  the  enemy  mani 
fested  toward  citizens  of  this  district  since  their  occupation 
of  the  Manassas  road.  When  they  first  advanced  up  the 
road  we  smashed  up  one  of  their  trains,  killing  and  wound 
ing  a  large  number.  In  retaliation  they  arrested  a  large 
number  of  citizens  living  along  the  line,  and  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  sending  an  installment  of  them  on  each  train.  As 
my  command  has  done  nothing  contrary  to  the  usages  of 
war,  it  seems  to  me  that  some  attempt  at  least  ought  to  be 
made  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  such  barbarities. 

During  my  absence  from  my  command,  the  enemy  cap 
tured  6  of  my  men  near  Front  Royal;  these  were  immediately 
hung  by  order  and  in  the  presence  of  General  Custer.  They 
also  hung  another  in  Rappahannock.  It  is  my  purpose  to 
hang  an  equal  number  of  Custer's  men  whenever  I  capture 

NOTE  :  The  names  of  those  shown  in  the  Group  of  Mosby's  Men  on  the 
opposite  page  are  the  following,  counting  from  left  to  right  : 

1  John  T.  Dickson.  5     James  Jackson  Mitchell. 

2  J.  R.  Watkins.  6     D.  G.  Carlisle. 

3  Col.  John  S.  Mosby.  7     Sergt.  John  \V.  Corbin. 

4  Daniel  L.  Thomas.  8     Richard  McVey. 


MOSBV'S   RANGERS.  2/7 

them.  There  was  passed  by  the  last  U.  S.  Congress  a  bill 
of  pains  and  penalties  against  guerrillas,  and  as  they  profess 
to  consider  my  men  within  the  definition  of  the  term,  I  think 
it  would  be  well  to  come  to  some  understanding  with  the 
enemy  in  reference  to  them.  The  bearer  of  this,  my  adju 
tant,  will  give  all  information  you  desire  concerning  the  en 
emy  in  this  county.  Of  course,  I  did  not  allow  the  conduct 
of  the  enemy  toward  citizens  to  deter  me  from  the  use  of 
any  legitimate  weapon  against  them,  but  after  throwing  off 
the  train  they  guarded  the  road  so  heavily  that  no  oppor 
tunities  were  offered  for  striking  any  successful  blow,  and  I 
thought  I  would  be  more  usefully  employed  in  annoying 
Sheridan's  communications.  I  received  the  list  of  deserters 
you  sent  me.  I  will  do  what  I  can  toward  arresting  them, 
but  none  are  with  my  command. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY,  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

[First   Indorsement.] 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  honorable  Secretary  of  War 
for  his  information. 

I  do  not  know  how  we  can  prevent  the  cruel  conduct  of 
the  enemy  toward  our  citizens.  I  have  directed  Colonel 
Mosby,  through  his  adjutant,  to  hang  an  equal  number  of 
Custer's  men  in  retaliation  for  those  executed  by  him. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

[Third  Indorsement.] 

November  14,  186^. 

General  Lee's  instructions  are  cordially  approved.  In 
addition,  if  our  citizens  are  found  exposed  on  any  captured 
train,  signal  vengeance  should  be  taken  on  all  conductors 
and  officers  found  on  it,  and  every  male  passenger  of  the 
enemy's  country  should  be  treated  as  prisoners.  So  instruct. 

J.  A.  S[EDDON],  Secretary. 

Monday,  October  17. — Towards  evening  a  foraging  party  of 
Federal  cavalry  came  out  from  their  camp  near  Piedmont, 
and  going  to  the  farms  around,  supplied  themselves  liberally 
with  food  for  man  and  beast.  One  had  the  carcass  of  a  calf 
on  his  saddle ;  another  a  live  lamb ;  chickens  and  other 
poultry  were  plentifully  distributed  throughout  their  ranks. 
As  they  started  to  return  to  camp,  each  took  a  bundle  of^ 
hay  in  front  on  his  horse.  Capt.  William  Chapman,  who 
had  been  watching  his  opportunity,  suddenly  charged  them 


278 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


in  front  at  Mrs.  Fletcher's,  on  the  road  leading  from  Pied 
mont  to  Paris,  while  Capt.  Sam.  Chapman,  with  his  com 
pany,  kept  on  their  flank,  shooting  into  their  ranks.  En 
cumbered  as  they  were  with  plunder,  they  could  offer  but 
poor  resistance  to  the  impetuous  charge  of  Mosby's  men. 
When  Chapman  first  attacked  them,  they  were  huddled  up 
so  closely  that  a  great  many  were  killed  and  wounded  by 

the  close  and  rapid  firing. 
Twenty  prisoners  and  30 
horses  were  captured,  and 
15  or  20  horses  which  es 
caped  in  the  darkness  and 
confusion,  were  picked  up 
the  following  day. 

General  Seward,  writing 
General  Stevenson  from 
Martinsburg,  October 
2ist,  says : 

11  Mosby,  with  75  or  100 
men,  lay  within  300  yards 
of  the  pike  when  our  train 
for  the  front  passed  yester 
day.  The  guard  being 
unusually  strong,  they 
thought  best  not  to  attack, 
but  remained  quietly  un 
til  the  train  had  passed  and 
then  started  toward  Smith- 
field.  This  was  on  the 
Winchester  road,  about 
half  a  mile  on  the  other 
side  of  Darkesville.  They 
captured  a  butcher,  who  was  in  advance  of  the  train, 
and  let  him  go  again  before  dark.  He  says  that  Mosby 
questioned  him  very  closely  in  regard  to  the  number  of 
troops  stationed  here,  also  in  regard  to  our  pickets." 

When  this  train  left  Martinsburg,  Frank  Leslie's  Special 
War  Artist  with  Sheridan  in  the  Valley,  then  on  his  way  to 
the  front,  accompanied  it,  as  a  matter  of  safety,  it  being  very 
heavily  guarded.  As  the  hour  of  noon  approached,  this 
worthy  artist,  disdaining  the  humble  fare  of  the  poor  soldier 


JAMES  CHANCELLOR,  CO.  D. 

Captured  by  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  in  the 

Fight  near  Upperville. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


2/9 


(hard  tack  and  bacon),  and  longing  for  the  dainty  food  which 
he  knew  could  be  procured  at  the  farm  house  of  one  David 
Stewart,  in  the  hollow  on  the  pike  between  Bunker  Hill 
and  Bucklestown,  proposed  to  a  lieutenant  of  the  artillery 
and  three  or  four  cavalrymen  that  they  leave  the  train  and 
push  ahead  so  as  to  make  sure  of  some  of  Mrs.  Stewart's 
famous  pies  before  the  train  came  up. 

While  our  knight  of  the  pencil  and  brush  stood  on  the 
porch  bargaining  with  the  good  lady  for  a   pumpkin  pie,  he 


ARTIST  TAYLOR  LOSES  HIS  PIE. 


cast  his  eyes  down  the  hollow  to  the  east  and  saw  several 
horsemen  leaning  forward  on  their  horses  and  scudding 
along  a  little  lane  which  led  directly  to  the  pike.  One 
glance  he  gave  at  the  gray  uniforms  ;  then  hastily  dropping 
his  pie,  he  called  the  attention  of  the  lieutenant  to  the  swiftly 
approaching  riders.  In  an  instant  Red-straps  vaulted  the 
fence  and  sprang  into  the  saddle,  the  others  following,  and 
up  the  pike  the  whole  party  sped,  in  the  direction  of  the 
escort,  who  were  not  yet  in  sight.  Our  artist  being  poorly 
mounted,  brought  up  the  rear,  but  a  friendly  stone  fence  be 
tween  him  and  the  graybacks  served  as  a  shield  and  pre- 


280  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

vented  his  being  cut  off.  He  has  ever  since  cherished  a 
more  than  kindly  feeling  toward  "  stone-fences.'* 

11  If  you  fellows  had  caught  me  then  and  killed  me,  who 
would  have  made  your  pictures  for  this  book,  you  'tarnal 
old  rebel  ? ''  said  my  friend  James  E.  Taylor,  whose  name 
will  be  found  on  these  illustrations,  and  who  is  the  same 
worthy  artist  mentioned  above.  A  drawing  made  by  him 
self,  showing  his  lucky  escape,  both  for  him  and  me,  will  be 
found  on  the  preceding  page. 

"  Sorry  we  made  you  lose  your  pie  that  time,  old  boy," 
said  I. 

'•  No,  you  didn't,"  replied  Taylor ;  "  I  went  back  and  got 
it  after  you  fellows  left." 

General  Seward's  letter,  here  alluded  to,  while  in  the 
main  correct,  is  inaccurate  in  some  few  details.  He  says : 
"  Mosby,  with  75  or  100  men,  lay  within  300  yards  of  the 
pike,"  etc.  While  the  number  is  so  vastly  exaggerated 
(which  is  excusable,  as  General  Seward  did  not  see  our 
men),  Mosby  himself  was  not  at  that  place  at  the  time,  al 
though  his  brother,  Adjutant  William  H.  Mosby,  was  present. 
The  party  was  commanded  by  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards,  who 
with  Adjutant  Mosby,  Dr.  Dunn,  George  Slater  and  a  small 
party,  was  scouting  along  the  Valley  turnpike.* 

While  watching  the  pike,  they  captured  a  newsboy,  Avhom 
they  held  as  prisoner  for  awhile,  lest  he  might  give  informa 
tion  of  their  presence.  The  little  fellow  watched  their  op 
erations  closely,  and  appeared  to  look  with  eagerness  for 
the  approach  of  a  straggling  cavalryman  or  a  few  Federal 
troopers.  When  our  men  started  in  pursuit,  he  would  view 
the  chase  with  great  interest ;  and,  when  the  capture  was 
made,  would  clap  his  hands  with  delight. 

Monday,  Oct.  ££• — Command  met  at  Bloomfield;  nearly 
400  men  reported  for  duty.  Intending  to  strike  another 
blow  at  Sheridan's  communications,  Mosby  crossed  the 


2  Harper's  Ferry,  Oct.  23, 
STEVENSON   to  HALLECK  :    "  Mosby's    guerrillas   are   the   only   rebels   in 
force  left  in  this  end  of  the  Valley.     If  I  could  remount  Cole's  Cavalry  and  arm 
them  with  the  Spencer  carbine,  I  can  safely  say   that  in  60  days  I  can  get  rid 
of  this  quasi-military  pest." 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


Shenandoah  at  Castleman's  Ferry  about  dusk  and  halted  for 
the  night  near  Summit  Point. 

We  moved  off  soon  after  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the 
25th,  halting  near  the  Martinsburg  and  Winchester  turn 
pike,  about  6  miles  from  the  latter  place.  Leaving  the  com 
mand  concealed,  Mosby  took  a  few  men  and  went  out  to 
reconnoitre  the  road.  He  observed  a  two-horse  ambulance 
with  an  escort  of  12  or  15  cavalrymen  coming  from  the  di 
rection  of  Winchester,  and  immediately  started  his  men  out 
to  bag  them.  When  they  saw  our  men  approaching,  the 
driver  of  the  ambulance  put  on 
all  speed  to  get  away,  as  did  the 
escort.  A  long  train  was  seen 
in  the  distance,  coming  from 
Martinsburg,  and  their  efforts 
were  directed  to  reach  it.  See 
ing  this,  and  fearing  they  would 
escape,  Boyd  Smith,  who  with  a 
few  others  were  riding  in  a  field 
almost  abreast  of  the  ambulance, 
which  they  were  seeking  to  head 
off,  shot  one  of  the  horses.  This 
checked  the  progress  of  the 
wagon,  and  he  and  John  T.  Dick- 
son  jumped  their  horses  over 
the  stone  fence,  into  the  road, 
capturing  the  ambulance  and 
occupants — one  General,  a  Cap 
tain,  and  a  civilian,  who  was  driving  and  also  carrying  the 
mail.  Three  only  of  the  escort  were  captured.  Some  of 
them  retreated  to  the  main  body  of  the  escort,  who,  learn 
ing  of  the  disaster,  betook  themselves  back  to  Winchester. 
The  others  pushed  on  to  the  train.3  The  capture  took 
place  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  approaching  train, 
and  as  Boyd  Smith  and  John  T.  Dickson  were  hastening 


BOYD  SMITH,  CO.  E. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


3  SEWARD  to  STEVENSON,  Oct.  25:  "General  Duffie  was  captured  five 
miles  beyond  Bunker  Hill  last  evening  by  Mosby.  Colonel  Edwards  reports 
that  Mosby  had  from  300  to  4oo-men,  and  started  in  the  direction  of  Smith- 


282 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


back  to  the  command  they  met  Mosby  bringing  up  his  men 
to  attack  the  train. 

"  Colonel,  here's  your    General,"  said   Smith,  as  he  saw 
Mosby  advancing. 


field,  sending  5  men  as  a  guard 
to  Gen:  Duffie.  I  have  notified 
the  troops  along  the  railroad. 
The  express  from  the  east  has 
just  arrived  all  right." 

Colonel  EDWARDS  to  FORSYTH, 
Oct.  25  :  "I  have  the  honor  to 
report  that  at  about  9  a.  m.  the 
escort  that  came  from  Martins- 
burg  last  evening  wiih  General 
Neill  left  this  post  to  return. 
This  escort  consisted  of  50  men, 
30  of  whom  were  from  the 
Twenty  -  second  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  under  command  of  Sec 
ond  Lieut.  B.  F.  Hasson,  Twenty- 
second  Cavalry.  Gen.  A.  N. 
Duffie,  with  his  two- horse  light 
spring  wagon,  and  Captain 
Roome,  assistant  adjutant  gen 
eral,  Second  Brigade,  First  Di 
vision,  Sixth  Corps  who  was  heie 
wounded,  with  the  headquarters 
light  wagon  of  that  brigade, 
accompanied  it,  on  its  return. 
When  about  5  miles  from  this 
place,  General  Duffie,  with  10 
men  from  the  escort,  with  his 

light  wagon  pushed  ahead,  and  when  about  one  mile  and  a  half  beyond 
the  main  body  was  attacked  by  a  party  from  Mosby's  or  Gilmor's  band 
of  guerrillas  and  captured.  The  wagon  was  run  off  to  the  side  of  the 
road  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  taken  away.  A  courier  from  the  escort 
brought  in  the  news  of  the  disaster,  and  the  other  light  wagon  returned.  I  im 
mediately  sent  out  the  Forty-ninth  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  and  the 
Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  to  hunt  up  the  enemy.  The  commanding 
officer  of  the  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  having  ascertained  that  the 
party  went  off  toward  Snicker's  Ferry,  immediately  put  off  in  that  direction  and 
has  not,  as  yet,  returned.  The  enemy's  force  is  supposed  to  have  been  some 
where  in  the  neighborhood  of  300  men.  Major  Durland,  commanding  Seven 
teenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  has  since  returned  and  reports  that  he  followed 
this  force  by  a  circuitous  route  as  far  as  Seiver's  Ford,  on  the  Opequon,  and 
that  they  received  reliable  information  from  citizens  along  the  route  that  Gen- 


BRIG.-GEN.  ALFRED  N.  DUFFIE, 
U.  S.  A. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  283 

Looking  towards  the  General,  Mosby  said  : 

"  Who  are  you  ?  " 

"  General  Duffie,"  replied  that  worthy  gentleman. 

u  Take  him  to  the  rear,"  said  Mosby  as  he  galloped  out 
to  the  road. 

The  train  was  a  large  one  and  had  started  from  Martins- 
burg  early  in  the  morning  with  a  guard  composed  of  Cur- 
rie's  brigade,  together  with  the  Fifth  Wisconsin  Volunteers, 
the  Ninth  New  York  Artillery,  and  a  force  of  cavalry  made 
up  of  several  detachments,  all  under  command  of  Colonel 
Currie.4 

Not  being  fully  aware  of  the  length  or  strength  of  the 
train  and  escort,  Mosby  hurriedly  disposed  his  force  for  the 
assault — Chapman  and  Montjoy,  with  one  squadron  to  charge 
in  front,  while  he,  with  Richard's  squadron,  were  to  assail  the 
rear.  The  cavalry  were  easily  driven  back,  but  the  infantry 
proved  too  strong,  and  when  the  artillery  opened  fire  Mosby 
drew  off  his  men,  hoping  the  cavalry  would  follow  him  up 
so  that  he  could  fall  upon  them  when  at  a  safe  distance  from 
the  infantry  and  artillery.  But  this  they  would  not  do. 
The  escort  seemed  to  understand  that  their  duty  was  to 
guard  the  train  and  they  stuck  to  it. 

Poor  Duffie  was  not  only  a  prisoner,  but  his  misfortune 
drew  no  word  of  sympathy  from  his  superior  officer.  Gen 
eral  Sheridan,  in  his  report  to  General  Halleck  announcing 
the  fact,  says  : 

"  Brigadier-General  Duffie  was  captured  between  Win 
chester  and  Martinsburg.  I  respectfully  request  his  dis 
missal  from  the  service.  I  think  him  a  trifling  man  and  a 
poor  soldier.  He  was  captured  by  his  own  stupidity." 

eral  Duffie's  spring  wagon,  with  himself  and  one  other  officer  inside,  had 
passed  the  vicinity  of  Brucetown.  I  will  await  further  orders  as  when  to  for 
ward  the  next." 

4  WATKINS  to  CURRIE,  October  24  :  "  You  will  have  your  brigade  in  readi 
ness  to  move  at  5:30  a.  m.  to-morrow,  provided  with  three  days'  rations. 
The  Fifth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  Colonel  Allen  ;  Ninth  New  York  Artillery, 
Captain  Lamoreaux,  and  several  detachments  of  cavalry,  will  be  ordered  to 
report  to  you  at  that  hour.  You  will  have  command  of  the  entire  escort  for  the 
train,  which  will  be  on  the  Winchester  pike,  near  town,  at  the  hour  before  men 
tioned." 


284 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


Richards,  with  the  First  Squadron,  was  sent  back  to  The 
Plains  in  Fauquier,  while  Mosby,  with  the  remainder  of  the 
command,  proceeded  to  the  vicinity  of  Winchester,  where 
he  captured  a  train  of  7  wagons — 5  with  6  mules  and  2  with 
4  horses  each,  together  with  54  infantry  who  were  guarding 
the  train.  He  then  returned,  bringing  with  him  60  prison 
ers  (including  one  general 
and  one  captain),  45  horses 
and  mules,  without  having 
a  man  lost  or  injured. 

Several  small  scouting 
parties  were  scattered 
through  the  Valley,  all  of 
whom  were  successful  in 
capturing  prisoners  and 
horses. 

Saturday,  October  29. — A 
strong  detachment  of  the 
Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  was 
sent  from  Rectortown  on  a 
scout  towards  Upperville. 
Capt.  Walter  E.  Frankland, 
with  about  100  men,  struck 
their  trail  and  followed, 
finding  them  at  Hatcher's 
Mill,  dismounted  and  feeding  their  horses.  He  waited 
in  the  woods  until  they  had  resumed  their  march,  when  he 
again  started  on  their  track.  Meanwhile  he  had  been  joined 
by  Colonel  Mosby,  Harry  Hatcher  and  a  number  of  others 
who  had  also  been  watching  the  Federal  cavalry.  Mosby 
ordered  Frankland  to  intercept  them  on  their  return — to  get 
between  them  and  their  camp. 

"  I  want  you  to  make  it  a  second  Dranesville,"  said  Mosby. 
"  I  will  do  the  scouting  and  will  keep  you  informed  of  the 
enemy's  movements." 

From  Upperville  the  Eighth  Illinois  struck  across  a 
stretch  of  level  land  in  the  direction  of  Rectortown.  As 
they  drew  near  the  house  of  Henry  Dulaney,  about  a  mile 
from  Upperville,  Frankland  determined  to  attack  them  in 


LIEUT.  ALBERT  WRENN,  CO.  B. 

From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


285 


the  open  field.  Dividing  his  force  between  Lieut.  Albert 
Wrenn  and  Lieutenant  Grogan,  he,  with  Lieutenant  Wrenn 
and  the  larger  portion,  was  to  attack  in  front,  while  Grogan 
was  to  march  off  to  the  right  and  strike  on  their  flank. 

The  Federals  formed  in  three  squadrons.  Frankland  in 
his  charge  broke  and  drove  back  the  first  squadron,  but  the 
other  two  remained  firm  and  poured  their  fire  into  his  party 
and  also  into  Grogan's  men,  who  now  charged  on  their  left. 
Between  Grogan  and  the  Eighth  Illinois  there  was  a  ditch 
and  also  a  high  rail  fence.  In  the  charge  he  was  compelled 
to  take  him  men  through 

a    gate     in     this    fence,  — -••—-, 

which  not  only  delayed 
but  also  confused  their 
movements,  and  in  con 
sequence  Frankland  was 
beaten  off  before  Grogan 
could  unite  with  him. 
The  squadron  in  front  of 
Dulaney's  house  showed 
signs  of  wavering,  but 
the  Federals  on  the  right 
of  the  gate  sat  quietly  on 
their  horses  and  poured 
a  steady  fire  into  Gro 
gan's  flank. 

Though  our  loss  was 
severe,  it  is  surprising 
that  it  was  no  greater. 
Had  the  Federals  charged 
us  when  crowded  in  pass 
ing  through  the  gate 
way,  or  cut  us  off  in  the  inner  field,  many  more  would  have 
been  lost. 

Luther  Carrington  and  George  Gulick  were  killed ;  John 
Atkins  and  Edgar  Davis  mortally  wounded,  both  dying  soon 
after  the  fight.  Thos.  Adams,  Geo.  Turberville,  Maddux  and 
Shaw,  wounded.  James  Chancellor,  John  Munson,  J.  J.  Will- 
iams,C.  H.  Mclntosh  and  Dennis  Darden  were  taken  prisoners. 


J.  J.  WILLIAMS,  SERGEANT  CO.  F. 

Captured  near  Upperville  in  the   Fight   with   the 
Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry. 


286 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


The  Eighth  Illinois  lost  but  few,  yet  they  pressed  into 
service  a  wagon  and  an  ox-cart  to  carry  off  their  dead  and 
wounded.6 

John  Atkins  was  an  Irish  gentleman,  who,  having  heard 
of  Mosby's  exploits,  left  home  and  country  to  join  his  for. 

tune  with  ours.  He  was  brave, 
generous,  of  good  education, 
agreeable  in  his  manner,  and 
had  in  the  short  time  he  was 
with  us  made  many  friends. 
Poor  fellow,  he  suffered  greatly, 
but  when  death  came  it  was 
not  that  grim  monster  usually 
pictured,  but  a  kindly  spirit, 
which  transported  him  in  his 
last  moments  from  scenes  of 
blood  and  carnage  back  to  home, 
and  friends ;  and  as  he  mur 
mured  faintly  the  words  "  Oh, 
my  poor  mother  !  "  he  sank  to 
rest.  He  was  buried  in  the 
little  cemetery  at  Paris. 

At    one   time    when    Atkins 
was  in  Richmond  on  leave  of 

absence,  an  alarm  was  sounded  that  the  enemy  was  about 
making  an  attack  on  the  city.  Guards  were  placed  on  the 
streets  and  the  provost  guard  picked  up  all  officers  and  sol. 
diers  absent  from  their  commands,  sending  them  out  to  the 
trenches  to  check  any  advance.  Atkins  was  arrested  and 
taken  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  and  handed  a  musket.  This 
was  too  much  for  his  good  nature,  even.  "  Let  me  go  back 
to  my  command,"  said  he ;  "  when  I  am  at  home  I  have  my 
horse  to  ride  and  boots  up  to  my  middle,  and  I  am  not  go 
ing  out  to  the  trenches  to  shovel  dirt."  He  was  released  on 

6  AUGUR  to  HALLECK,  October  30  :  "A  portion  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  had 
a  brush  with  Mosby  yesterday,  near  Upperville,  and  whipped  him  badly,  killing 
7  or  8,  and  capturing  9.  The  track  will  be  taken  up  half  way  between  this 
(Salem)  and  Rectortown  to-day.  They  are  getting  on  very  slowly— as  fast, 
however,  as  they  possibly  can.  I  go  to  Plains  this  morning," 


SE^GT.  EDGAR  DAVIS,  CO.  E. 

Mortally  wounded   in   the  Fight  with  the 

Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  near  Upperville. 

From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  287 

the  following  day,  through  the  good  offices  of  Capt.  Ed. 
Hudson,  of  General  Elzey's  staff. 

Edgar  Davis  was  thought  to  be  but  slightly  wounded, 
but  from  the  first  he  persisted  in  saying  he  would  die.  He 
lingered  a  few  days.  His  horse  was  shot,  as  was  also  the 
horse  of  his  brother  William.  Davis  was  a  very  quiet,  un 
assuming  man  and  his  loss  was  much  regretted. 

Lieut.  John  N.  Murphy  of  Company  G  was,  with  a  few 
others,  at  the  house  of  Captain  Richards  near  Upperville. 
He  had  just  reached  there  from  the  Northern  Neck — had 
not  taken  off  his  saddle — when  the  word  came  :  "  There  are 
the  Yankees !  "  He  and  his  companions  mounted  and 
quickly  rode  out  to  the  turnpike  just  as  the  fight  commenced. 
Murphy  had  been  a  captain  in  the  regular  service  before 
joining  our  command,  but  this  was  his  first  experience  in  our 
mode  of  fighting.  Seeing  the  men  scattered  over  the  field 
in  every  direction,  he  was  confused.  He  recognized  Lieut. 
Harry  Hatcher  dashing  across  the  field  at  full  speed,  and 
being  well  mounted,  on  a  daughter  of  the  famous  old  race 
horse  Bailey  Peyton,  Murphy  spurred  on  and  overtook  him. 

"  Which  are  our  men  and  which  are  the  Yankees  ?  "  asked 
Murphy. 

Harry's  reply  was:  "  Damn  the  difference!  Go  right 
in  !  "  Then,  turning  with  his  head  toward  Murphy,  he  said  : 
"  There's  a  Yankee,  right  by  you  now ! "  As  Murphy 
turned  toward's  him,  the  man  wheeled  his  horse,  threw  back 
his  hand  and  fired,  the  ball  from  his  revolver  striking  the 
ground  a  few  feet  from  Murphy's  horse.  He  then  dashed 
off  and  rejoined  the  men  of  his  squadron  near  Dulaney's 
house. 


NIGHT  ON  BATTLEFIELD. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

November,  1864 — The  Hanging  of  Willis— Letter  of  Instructions  to  Mosby — Hipkins  Saved  by 
Half  a  Mule— Retaliation  — Drawing  Lots— The  Drummer  Boy — The  Execution — Escape 
of  Two  of  the  Prisoners — Mosby  Sends  a  Letter  to  General  Sheridan  by  Lieut.  John 
Russell— Mosby's  Letter— The  "  Black  Flag." 

Sunday,  November  6,  1864. — Meeting  of  the  command  at 
Rectortown.  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards  returned  yesterday  from 
the  Valley,  where  he  had  been  scouting  with  a  party  of  9, 
bringing  in  14  prisoners,  with  horses  and  equipments. 
These,  with  prisoners  brought  in  by  others,  made  up  a  total 
of  27  men, — all  belonging  to  Custer's  Cavalry.  It  was  de 
cided  that  7  of  them  should  be  taken  and  executed,  in  retal 
iation  for  the  6  men  of  our  command  hung  or  shot  at  Front 
Royal  after  the  fight  with  Custer's  Division,  and  for  another, 
A.  C.  Willis,  of  Company  C,  who  was  hung  by  Col.  William 
H.  Powell  at  Games'  X  Roads,  on  the  i3th  of  October.1 

The  circumstances  in  this  latter  case  were  as  follows  : 
When  the  Federal  raiding  parties  were  passing  through  our 
section,  they  sent  a  spy  ahead  to  learn  where  fine  cattle  and 

1  ADJUTANT  AND  INSPECTOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  ) 
Richmond,  Va.t  Xov.  19,  1864.       J 
General  R.  E.  LEE, 

Commanding  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  : 

GENERAL:  I  am  directed  by  the  Secretary  of  War  to  inform  you  your  instruc 
tions  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mosby  to  hang  an  equal  number  of  Custer's  men  in 
retaliation  for  those  of  his  command  executed  by  General  C.  are  cordially  ap 
proved  by  the  Department.  He  instructs  me  to  say  in  addition  that  if  our  citi 
zens  are  found  exposed  upon  any  captured  train  signal  vengeance  should  betaken 
upon  all  conductors  and  officers  on  it,  and  every  male  passenger  of  the  enemy's 
country  should  be  treated  as  a  prisoner. 

Very  respectfully,  General,  your  obedient  servant, 
H.  L.  CLAY, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General. 
[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS.  Nov.  21,  1864. 
Respectfully  referred  to  Colonel  Mosby  for  his  government. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 
(See  Mosby's  letter  to  Lee,  Chapter  XXL,  with  endorsements.) 

288 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  289 

horses  were  to  be  found,  and  their  hiding  places  when  the 
raiders  were  about.     This   man   passed  himself  off  on  the 
farmers  as  a  Confederate  soldier,   who  had  escaped  from 
Federal  prison.     Some  of  our  men  discovered  his  true  char 
acter  and  making  search  for  him,  found 
him  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Chancellor. 
After  questioning   him   and    satisfying 
themselves  as  to  who  and  what  he  was, 
they  took   him  out  and   shot  him.     In 
retaliation  for  this,  General  Powell  not 
only   burned   the    house,   barn  and  all 
outbuildings  on  Mr.  Chancellor's  prem 
ises,  but  also  hung  Willis.3 

The  27  prisoners  were  drawn  up  in 
single    line.     Among    them    were    two 

sJ*  AV      t    •        n  BRIG.-GEN.  WILLIAM 

officers,    one    being  Captain   Brewster,  H.  POWELL. 

commissary  of  subsistence,  of  Custer's 

command,  and  the  other  a  lieutenant  of  artillery.  Twenty- 
seven  pieces  of  paper,  seven  of  which  were  numbered  and 
the  remainder  blanks,  being  put  into  a  hat  and  the  hat 
shaken  up,  each  prisoner  was  required  to  draw.  The  num- 

2  General  Powell,  in  his  report  of  operations,  Oct.  27th,  says  :  "  October 
13,  having  learned  of  the  wilful  and  cold-blooded  murder  of  a  U.  S.  soldier  by 
two  men  (Chancellor  and  Myers,  members  of  Mosby's  gang  of  cut-throats  and 
robbers),  some  two  miles  from  my  camp,  a  few  days  previous,  I  ordered  the 
execution  of  one  of  Mosby's  gang  whom  I  had  captured  the  day  previous  at 
Gaines  Cross-Roads,  and  placing  the  placard  on  his  breast  with  the  following 
inscription  :  "  A.  C.  Willis,  member  of  Company  C,  Mosby's  command, 
hanged  by  the  neck  in  retaliation  for  the  murder  of  a  U.  S.  soldier  by  Messrs. 
Chancellor  and  Myers."  I  also  sent  a  detachment,  under  command  of 
Captain  Howe,  First  West  Virginia  Cavalry,  with  orders  to  destroy  the  resi 
dence,  barn,  and  all  buildings  and  forage,  on  the  premises  of  Mr.  Chancellor, 
and  to  drive  off  all  stock  of  every  description,  which  orders  were  promptly  car 
ried  out." 

From  a  letter  to  Lieut.  W.  Ben  Palmer  of  Company  E,  I  take  the  following  : 
"  Young  Willis  was  captured  at  Gaines'  X  Roads  on  the  evening  of  Oc 
tober  13,  1864,  by  General  Powell's  command,  then  camped  on  the  Marlow 
farm,  in  Rappahannock  Co.,  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  on  the  graded  road 
leading  to  Chester  Gap.  On  the  following  morning  I  was  captured  by  the 
Federal  troops  and  taken  to  the  Marlow  farm.  I  did  not  see  young  Willis,  but 
was  within  a  short  distance  of  him  and  heard  the  Federal  officers  and  soldiers 
talking.  They  said  they  had  one  of  Mosby's  men  at  General  Powell's  head- 


2QO 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


bered  pieces   meant    death    by   hanging,    and    the    blanks 
Richmond  and  Libby  prison. 

It  was  a  painful  scene,  and  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  It 
was  not  merely  in  a  spirit  of  revenge  that  these  men  were 
condemned,  but  it  was  a  measure  to  which  Mosby  was 
forced  to  resort,  by  the  brutal  acts  of  Custer  and  Powell.3 
One  of  the  captives  laid  his  head  on  the  shoulder  of  a  com 
rade  and  wept  like  a  child.  Another  prayed  earnestly  until 
it  came  his  turn  to  draw,  which  he  did  with  trembling 
hand.  Holding  up  the  paper  and  looking  at  it,  his  eyes 
brightened  as  he  exclaimed  :  "  Blank,  by  God  !  I  knew  it 
would  be  so/'  One  said  to  a  more  fortunate  companion: 


quarters,  and  did  not  know  whether  they 
would  hang  him,  shoot  him  or  cut  his 
throat.  They  hung  him  about  n  o'clock 
a.  m.,  on  a  large  poplar  tree  standing  by 
the  roadside  on  the  Marlow  farm,  and  his 
body  was  taken  down  by  Messrs.  John  P. 
Ricketts,  Robert  Deatherage  and  William 
Bowling,  and  carried  to  the  Baptist  Church 
in  the  town  of  Flint  Hill  ;  he  was  buried 
on  the  following  day.  On  his  breast  a  card 
was  found,  saying  that  he  was  hung  in  re 
taliation  for  a  Union  soldier  said  to  have 
been  killed  by  one  of  Mosby's  command. 

"J.  D.  BAGGASBY. 
"To  W.  BEN  PALMER,  Richmond,  Va." 

In  conversation  with  the  Rev.  Fred.  S. 
Hipkins,  formerly  of  Company  C,  Mosby's 
Battalion,  concerning  this  affair,  he  said  : 

"  It  was  half  a  mule  that  saved  my  neck 
that  time.  After  we  had  returned  from  a 
raid  in  the  Valley,  I  was  one  of  the  men 
detailed  to  take  the  prisoners  South — a  job 
I  did  not  like.  When  the  captures  were 
divided,  there  was  a  horse  and  half  a  mule 
to  each  man — that  is,  a  horse  to  each  man 
and  one  mule  to  each  two  men.  Half  a 
mule  was  of  no  use  to  me,  and  as  Willis 

thought  he  could  get  more  work  out  of  a  whole  mule,  he  agreed  to  go  out  with 
the  prisoners  in  my  stead  if  I  would  give  him  my  half  mule  ;  and  by  putting 
the  two  halves  together  he  would  have  a  full  mule.  It  was  while  taking  out 
these  prisoners  that  he  was  captured  and  hung." 

8  Mosby   was   compelled    to    adopt    this   course,   not    only  on    account    of 


FRED  S.  HIPKINS,  CO.  C. 
Now  Rev.  F.  S.  Hipkins,  an  Episcopal 

Minister. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


291 


"  Tell  my  mother  I  died  like  a  man.''  Some  could  not  over 
come  their  feelings,  and  begged  piteously  for  their  lives. 

Among  the  prisoners  captured  by  Richards  in  the  Valley 
were  a  newsboy  and  a  drummer  boy.  The  newsboy  had 
been  captured  by  our  men  on  more  than  one  occasion  and 
had  always  been  released  ; 
claiming  his  usual  privi 
lege,  he  was  allowed  to  go 
free.  The  drummer  boy 
was  well  grown,  and  but 
for  a  circumstance  appar 
ently  trivial  in  itself,  might 
have  passed  as  a  full- 
fledged  soldier.  He  was 
mounted  on  a  very  sorry 
horse,  which  lagged  be 
hind  in  coming  off  the  field, 
and  Lieutenant  Murphy, 
who  was  in  the  rear  in 
charge  of  the  prisoners, 
rode  beside  him.  The  boy 
told  him  an  artless  story, — 
that  he  was  a  drummer 
boy  ;  and  showed  a  little 
silver  badge  with  his  drum 
and  sticks  upon  it,  which 
he  said  his  mother  had 

given  him.  He  asked  Murphy  if  he  would  not  be  allowed 
to  keep  this  token— that  we  might  take  everything  else. 
Murphy  told  him  to  hide  it  in  his  boot  and  no  one  would 
see  it. 

Seeing  this  boy  among  the  condemned,  Murphy  immedi 
ately  went  to  Richards  and  told  him  the  story,  saying  he 


BVT.-MAJ.-GEN.  GEORGE  A.  CUSTER, 

U.  S.  A. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


these  acts  of  Custer  and  Powell,  but  also  by  the  action  of  the  higher 
powers. 

GRANT  to  SHERIDAN,  Aug.  16,  1864  :  "  Where  any  of  Mosby's  men  are 
caught,  hang  them  without  trial." 

SHERIDAN  to  GRANT,  Aug.  17  :  '  Mosby  has  annoyed  me  and  captured  a 
few  wagons.  We  hung  i  and  shot  6  of  his  men  yesterday." 


292  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

did  not  think  Mosby  wanted  to  hang  a  drummer  boy,  and 
asked  Richards  to  intercede  for  him.  He  did  so,  and  the 
boy  was  saved.  It  may  be  said  that  he  owed  his  life  really 
to  his  poor,  old,  tired  horse. 

Mosby  said  the  drummer  boy  should  not  have  been  al 
lowed  to  draw,  and  that  there  must  be  another  drawing  to 
procure  a  substitute  for  the  boy,  who  was  released. 

Again  the  prisoners  were  placed  in  line  and  compelled  to 
go  through  the  same  trying  ordeal ;  this  time  there  being 
only  one  number  in  the  hat.  Captain  Brewster  again 
escaped,  but  the  lieutenant  of  artillery  was  not  so  fortu 
nate — to  him  the  unlucky  number  fell.  His  face  grew  pale 
and  for  a  moment  his  voice  quivered,  as  he  said :  "  And 
must  I  be  hanged  ?  " 

The  7  unfortunate  prisoners  were  then  sent  off  under 
guard,  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Ed.  F.  Thomson,  with  orders 
to  execute  them  on  the  Valley  turnpike  as  near  General 
Sheridan's  headquarters  as  possible. 

While  passing  through  Ashby's  Gap,  the  party  met  Cap 
tain  Montjoy  returning  from  the  Shenandoah  Valley  with 
some  prisoners.  Being  the  ranking  officer,  he  assumed  the 
responsibility  of  releasing  the  lieutenant  of  artillery  and  one 
other  prisoner  and  substituted  two  of  the  soldiers  captured 
by  him. 

According  to  the  instructions,  the  men  were  to  have  been 
executed  on  the  Valley  turnpike,  near  Winchester,  but  when 
they  reached  the  turnpike  near  Berryville,  the  night  being 
dark  and  rainy,  one  of  the  prisoners  had  escaped  in  the 
darkness ;  and  fearful  of  meeting  with  further  mishap,  it 
was  decided  to  carry  out  the  sentence  there.  Five  men  were 
executed,  and  the  supply  of  rope  having  given  out,  the  execu 
tioners  determined  to  shoot  the  sixth  man,  when  he  asked 
for  more  time  to  pray.  Lieutenant  Thomson  ordered  the 
men  not  to  shoot  until  he  gave  the  word,  and  then  told  the 
man  to  pray  as  long  as  he  wished.  The  prisoner  by  some 
means  untied  his  hands  and  suddenly  struck  Thomson,  who 
stood  in  front  of  him,  a  blow  which  knocked  him  down  ; 
then  jumping  over  his  prostrate  body,  he  darted  off  into  the 
wood  and  was  lost  to  sight.  It  was  an  easy  matter  to  escape 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


293 


in  the  darkness.  The  man  closely  hugged  a  large  tree  until 
his  pursuers  were  at  a  safe  distance,  when  he  climbed  the 
tree  and  quietly  waited  until  they  left,  and  then  descended 
and  made  his  way  to  Winchester. 

A  note  written  by  Colonel  Mosby  and  pinned  to  the  cloth 
ing  of  one  of  the  men  hung,  read  : 

"  These  men  have  been  hung  in  retaliation  for  an  equal 
number  of  Colonel  Mosby's  men  hung  by  order  of  General 
Custer  at  Front  Royal.  Measure  for  measure."  4 

4 HEADQUARTERS  U.  S.  FORCES,      ) 
Winchester,   Va.t  November •  7,  1864.  ] 

Colonel  EDWARDS  to  KINGSBURY,  JR.  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  G.  H. 
Soule,  Company  G,  Fifth  Michigan  Cavalry,  this  day  entered  our  lines  from  the 
direction  of  Berry ville  and  reported  as  follows:  He  was  taken  prisoner  by  sol 
diers  of  Mosby's  command  on  the 
macadamized  road  near  Nevvtown, 
and  by  them  taken  to  a  camp  on  the 
Winchester  and  Berryville  turnpike. 
There  he  was  placed  with  a  squad  of 
Federal  prisoners,  numbering  about 
22,  and  with  them  compelled  to  draw 
lots  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
upon  a  certain  number  who  should 
be  hung.  Of  the  23  prisoners  7  were 
to  be  executed  in  retaliation  for  a  like 
number  of  Mosby's  command  who 
were  hung  by  General  Custer.  Of 
the  7  upon  whom  the  lot  fell,  3  were 
hung,  2  shot  and  2  escaped.  The 
wounded  men,  one  of  whom  escaped 
alive  by  feigning  death,  are  being 
cared  for  by  Union  families  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  camp.  The  men  who 
escaped  have  reported  at  this  post. 
The  accompanying  note  was  found 
by  a  citizen  who  cut  down  and  buried 

the  bodies,  pinned  to  the  clothing  of  LIEUT    ED.  F.  THOMSON,  CO.  H. 

one  of  the  men   who  were  hanged. 

Captain  Brewster,  commissary  of  subsistence  of  General  Custer's  command, 
was  among  the  parties  captured.  The  name  of  one  of  the  men  hanged  was 
ascertained  to  be  George  L.  Prouty.  He  was  a  member  Company  L,  Fifth 

Michigan  Cavalry." 

[Inclosure.] 

"These  men  have  been  hung  in  retaliation  for  an  equal  number  of  Colonel 
Mosby's  men  hung  by  order  of  General  Custer  at  Front  Royal.  Measure  for 
measure. 


294  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

The  place  of  this  hanging  was  Beemer's  Woods,  not  a 
hundred  yards  from  the  entrance  to  the  grounds  of  the  She- 
nandoah  Driving  Park,  now  a  popular  racing  resort  near 
Berryville. 

After  the  prisoners  had  been  sent  off  for  execution,  Col 
onel  Mosby,  looking  toward  Lieutenant  Grogan,  said ; 
u  Grogan,  I  want  you  to  take  a  letter  to  General  Sheridan, 
notifying  him  of  the  hanging  of  these  men." 

Grogan  regarded  it  as  an  extra  hazardous  enterprise  at 
that  time  to  venture  into  Sheridan's  presence  with  such  a 
letter,  as  such  an  act  would  probably  place  the  neck  of  the 
bearer  also  within  the  coils  of  a  halter.  Therefore,  thinking 
the  Colonel  wished  to  perpetrate  a  joke  at  his  expense,  he 
quickly  answered : 

"  Oh,  no,  Colonel ;  I  don't  want  to  get  a  rope  around  my 
neck  yet  awhile." 

Had  Grogan  thought  for  a  moment  that  the  Colonel  was 
serious,  he  never  would  have  made  the  reply,  as  he  was  one 
who  never  shirked  a  duty  and  whose  courage  had  often 
been  proved. 

The  Colonel  then  turned  to  John  Russell,  who  always 
took  a  plain  matter-of-fact  view  of  things,  and  who  never 
stopped  to  consider  the  risk  when  an  order  was  given  him. 
He  was  entrusted  with  the  delivery  of  the  following  letter  to 
General  Sheridan : 

November  11,  1864. 
Major-General  P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 

Commanding  U.  S.  forces  in  the  Valley: 

GENERAL  :  Some  time  in  the  month  of  September,  during 
my  absence  from  my  command,  six  of  my  men,  who  had 
been  captured  by  your  forces,  were  hung  and  shot  in  the 
streets  of  Front  Royal,  by  the  order  and  in  the  immediate 
presence  of  Brigadier-General  Custer.  Since  then  another 
(captured  by  a  Colonel  Powell  on  a  plundering  expedition 
into  Rappahannock)  shared  a  similiar  fate.  A  label  affixed 
to  the  coat  of  one  of  the  murdered  men  declared  that  "this 
would  be  the  fate  of  Mosby  and  all  his  men." 

Since  the  murder  of  my  men,  not  less  than  700  prisoners, 
including  many  officers  of  high  rank,  captured  from  your 
army  by  this  command,  have  been  forwarded  to  Richmond., 
but  the  execution  of  my  purpose  of  retaliation  was  deferred 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


295 


in  order,  as  far  as  possible,  to  confine  its  operation  to  the 
men  of  Custer  and  Powell.  Accordingly,  on  the  6th  instant, 
seven  of  your  men  were  by  my  order  executed  on  the  Val 
ley  Turnpike,  your  highway  of  travel. 

Hereafter  any  prisoners  falling  into  my  hands  will  be 
treated  with  the  kindness  due  to  their  condition,  unless  some 
new  act  of  barbarity  shall  compel  me  reluctantly  to  adopt 
a  line  of  policy  repugnant  to  humanity. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN"  S.  MOSBY,   Lieutenant-Colonel. 

This  was  not  without  its  good  effect,  and  Mosby  was 
spared  the  painful  duty  of  resorting  to  such  measures  there 
after. 

The  Black  Flag. — At  one  time  there  was  a  report  widely 
circulated,  both  North  and  South,  that  Mosby  was  "  fight 
ing  under  the  black  flag," — that  he  had  "  hoisted  the 
black  flag."  Prisoners  who 
were  captured  expressed  sur 
prise  that  they  were  taken 
alive,  unless  it  were  our  pur 
pose  to  reserve  them  for  some 
worse  fate  than  a  speedy 
death.  Others,  as  an  apology 
for  resisting  capture,  said  they 
were  told  that  u  Mosby's 
Men"  took  no  prisoners. 
Among  Southern  soldiers  the 
report  gained  credence,  and 
even  among  members  of  our 
command  the  matter  was 
often  the  subject  of  conversa 
tion.  Some  of  the  old  veterans 
would  regale  a  new  recruit 
with  blood-curdling  stories  of 
the  men  who  were  fighting 
under  the  "  black  flag,"  until 

the  poor  fellow  really  felt  himself  already  dangling  from 
some  forest  tree.  Others,  while  not  lacking  moral  or  physical 
courage,  could  not  shake  off  a  little  of  that  natural  repug 
nance  to  the  barbarous  and  savage  cruelties  which  are  some- 


MAJ.-GEN.  PHILIP  H.  SHERIDAN, 

U.  S.  A. 

Commanding  Middle  Military  Division. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  just  before  leaving 

the  Shenandoah  Valley. 


296  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

times  practiced  in  war  by  even  so-called  civilized  Christian 
nations — feeling  that  if  the  report  were  accepted  as  true  by 
our  enemies,  it  would  be  used  as  an  excuse  for  the  perpetra 
tion  of  atrocious  acts  under  the  plea  of  retaliation. 

The  whole  story,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  trace  it,  had 
its  origin — its  birth,  life  and  death — in  the  following  corres 
pondence,  taken  from  the  official  records : 

ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  ) 
Washington,  October  87,  1864.      ( 
Brig.-Gen.  E.  B.  TYLER,  Commanding. 

SIR  :  It  has  been  stated  in  the  papers  that  a  black  flag, 
captured  between  Harper's  herry  and  Martinsburg  by  one  of  your 
scouts  from  some  of  Mosbys  guerrillas,  has  been  presented  by 
you  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  All  flags,  munitions  of 
war  and  public  property  taken  from  the  enemy  belong  to 
the  United  States,  and  such  flags  when  captured  should  be 
forwarded  to  the  Adjutant  General. 

Please  report,  for  the  information  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  whether  the  statement  in  the  papers  is  correct ;  and, 
if  it  is,  cause  the  flag  to  be  obtained  and  forwarded  to  this 
office,  to  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  War  Depart 
ment. 

I  am,  sir,  etc.,  E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HDQRS.  FIRST  SEPARATE  BRIGADE,  EIGHTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 

Relay  House,  Md.,  Nov.  9,  186 '4.      j 
General  E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  djutant  General,  Washington,  D.  C. 
GENERAL  :  In  compliance  with  the  directions  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  I  forward  to  you  the  "  black  flag  "  cap 
tured  by  Detective  C.  H.  Marsh  from  General  Early  s  Com 
mand,  Monday  night,  August  i,  1864,  while  in  their  lines 
near  North  Mountain.  The  flag  was  in  charge  of  two  rebels 
and  set  up  against  a  tree.  One  of  the  rebels  went  in  search 
of  water  ;  Marsh,  who  had  been  watching  the  flag  from 
nightfall,  determined  to  get  it,  if  possible,  sprung  upon  the 
man  left  alone,  secured  him,  took  the  flag  from  the  pole, 
and  brought  the  flag  and  prisoner  safely  through  within  our 
lines. 

I  am,  general,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  TYLER,  Brigadier  General. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  297 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  i 

Washington,  Nov.  11,  1864.      ( 
Brig.-Gen.  E.  B.  TYLER,  U.  S.  Volunteers, 

Relay  House,  Md. 

SIR  :  I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  Qth 
instant  and  the  "  black  flag  "  accompanying  it.  The  Secre 
tary  of  War  has  directed  that  a  medal  of  honor  be  given  to 
Detective  C.  H.  Marsh  for  capturing  it.  Please  give  me 
such  description  of  Marsh  as  will  enable  me  to  have  the 
medal  properly  engraved.  If  in  service,  the  company  and 
regiment  to  which  he  belongs ;  if  not,  the  state  that  he  is 
from,  etc. 

I  am,  sir,  etc.,  E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


So  we  were  not  in  it,  after  all  ! 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

November,  1864—  Giving  up  the  Attempt  to  Reconstruct  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  and  Remov 
ing  the  Rails  to  Repair  the  Winchester  and  Potomac  Road— Powell's  Raid — Inspection 
of  "Mosby's  Men"  at  Rectortown — Company  D  in  the  Valley — Skirmish  between  Win 
chester  and  Newtown — Attacked  by  Blazer — Death  of  Braxton  and  Bredell — Blazer's 
Command,  Who  They  Were— The  Struggle  for  the  Mastery— The  First  Squadron  Sets 
Out  in  Search  of  Blazer — Fight  Near  Kabletown— Defeat  and  Capture  of  Blazer — Charles 
McDonough — Death  of  Lieutenant  Cole — Prisoners  to  Richmond — Lieutenant  Frank 
Turner  in  the  Valley — Companies  C  and  E  in  the  Valley — Capture  and  Recapture  of 
Trains — Narrow  Escape  of  Mosby — Frank  Angelo— Company  D  in  Loudoun — Chase  of 
the  Loudoun  Rangers — Death  of  Captain  Montjoy — Disbanding  of  Artillery  Company — 
Organization  of  Company  G. 

The  attempt  to  reconstruct  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad 
was  now  being  abandoned  and  the  rails  were  removed  to  be 
used  in  repairing  the  Winchester  and  Potomac  Road.1 

General  Stevenson,  in  a  dispatch  to  General  Sheridan,  No 
vember  2,  said  that  a  force  of  3,000  men  would  be  necessary 
to  protect  the  road,  otherwise  portions  would  be  destroyed 
as  fast  as  constructed.  Sheridan  then  issued  an  order  that 
if  the  railroad  was  interfered  with,  all  male  secessionists  in 
Charlestown,  Shepherdstown,  Smithfield  and  Berryville,  and 
adjacent  country  should  be  arrested  and  sent  to  Fort  Mc- 
Henry,  their  stock  driven  off  and  subsistence  destroyed.2 

1  See  Mosby  to  General  Lee,  Appendix,  XIII. 


-  GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HDQRS.  MIL.  DIST.  OF  HARPER'S  FERRY, 

No  23.'  \  Harper  s  Ferry,   Va.,  Nov.  17,  1864. 

The  general  commanding  publishes  this  order  for  the  information  of  all 
whom  it  may  concern  : 

The  Government  of  the  United  States  having  rebuilt  the  railroad  from  Har 
per's  Ferry  to  Winchester,  Va.,  to  protect  the  same  from  molestation  from 
guerrillas  and  disloyal  citizens  along  the  line  of  the  same,  the  general  com 
manding  is  instructed  by  the  major-general  commanding,  in  the  event  that 
the  operations  of  said  railroad  are  interfered  with  by  guerrillas  or  disloyal 

citizens 

To  arrest  all  male  secessionists  in  the  towns  of  Shepherdstown,  Charlestown, 
Smithfield  and  Berryville,  and  in  the  adjacent  country,  sending  them  to  Fort 
McHenry,  Md.,  there  to  be  confined  during  the  war  ;  and  also  to  burn  all  grain, 

298 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  299 

On  the  morning  of  November  /th  General  Powell's  Di 
vision  of  Cavalry  came  through  Manassas  Gap  on  a  raid, 
passing  Markham,  Piedmont,  Rectortown,  Upperville,  and 
Paris.  They  returned  to  their  camp  by  way  of  Ashby's 
Gap,  on  the  9th,  carrying  off  all  the  horses,  cattle  and  stock 
they  could  find  in  the  section  of  country  traversed  by  them.3 

Friday,  November  11. — The  command  was  called  together 
at  Rectortown  for  inspection.  Five  hundred  men  reported 
for  duty.  Captain  Meade,  of  General  Early's  staff,  was  the 
inspector.  A  number  of  men  had  joined  the  battalion  whose 
names  were  on  the  rolls  of  the  regular  army.  For  the  pur 
pose  of  weeding  these  out,  and  ridding  the  command  of 
some  unruly  and  negligent  members,  Mosby  had  requested 
this  inspection.  As  the  names  were  called,  these  men  ap 
peared  before  Colonel  Mosby  and  the  Inspector,  their  names 
were  stricken  from  our  rolls,  they  were  deprived  of  their 
arms  and  placed  under  guard,  to  be  turned  over  to  the  Pro 
vost-Marshal  at  Gordonsville,  Major  Boyle.  .  Captain  Meade 
reported  ours  as  the  best  mounted  and  equipped  body  of 
men  he  had  ever  inspected. 

Tuesday,  November  15. — Company  D  met  at  Paris,  and 
under  command  of  Captain  Montjoy,  moved  off  through 
Ashby's  Gap  about  noon,  crossing  the  Shenandoah  at  Island 
Ford,  about  a  mile  from  Berry's  Ferry.  Proceeding  cau 
tiously  in  the  direction  of  Winchester,  Montjoy  concealed 

destroy  all  subsistence,  and  drive  off  all  stock  belonging  to  such  individuals, 
turning  over  the  stock  so  seized  to  the  Treasury  agent  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States. 

Upon  the  contingency  arising  requiring  the   execution  of   the  instructions 
herein  set  forth,  the  same  shall  be  executed  promptly  and  thoroughly. 
By  order  of  Brigadier-General  Stevenson  : 

S.  F.  ADAMS, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- General. 

3  SHERIDAN  to  HALLECK,  Nov.  10  :  "I  have  had  a  small  division  of  cav 
alry  operating  on  the  east  side  of  the  mountains  in  the  vicinity  of  Upperville, 
Paris,  Bloomfield,  and  surrounding  country.  No  enemy  found  there,  nor  had 
anything  been  in  that  section  except  Mosby's  command.  A  lot  of  stock,  horses, 
sheep  and  cattle  were  brought  in  by  this  force,  and  the  grain,  barns,  subsist 
ence,  etc.,  so  far  as  practicable,  were  destroyed.  Any  reports  that  you  may 
have  heard  or  received  within  the  last  few  days  of  large  raiding  parties  of  the 
enemy,  and  of  a  concentration  of  Mosby  near  Berry ville,  are  untrue." 


3°° 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


his  men  in  a  piece  of  woods  until  daylight  (i6th),  when  he 
again  started.  On  the  road  from  Winchester  to  Newtown,  a 
force  of  Federal  cavalry  was  observed  carelessly  approach 
ing,  apparently  unconscious  of  danger.  Montjoy  formed 
his  men  behind  a  hill  and  awaited  their  coming.  When  they 
reached  the  position  occupied  by  the  Rangers,  a  charge  was 
ordered ;  the  astonished  Federals  fled  in  confusion,  leaving 
a  number  of  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field,  and  17  prison 
ers  and  horses  in  the  hands  of  Company  D. 

When  Montjoy  reached   Berryville,  he  allowed   such  of 
his  command  as  resided  in  Loudoun  to  cross  the  river  at 
Castleman's  Ferry,  while  with  about  30  men  and  the  pris 
oners,  he  moved  along  the  river, 
intending  to  cross   at    Berry's 
Ferry.     About  two  miles  irom 
the  Ferry,  near  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Frank  Whiting,  he  was  at 
tacked  by  Captain  Blazer.     At 
Whiting's  house  Edward  Bre- 
dell  was  killed.     He  was  from 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  although  he 
had   been   a  lieutenant   in   the 
regular  service,  he  was  serving 
as   a  private   in   Company  D. 
Montjoy  and    Grogan  endeav 
ored  to  rally  the  men,  who  were 
now  retreating  toward  the  river, 
and  at  the  Vineyard,  the  resi 
dence   of    John    Esten    Cooke, 
sought  to   make  a  stand  ;    but 

Blazer  had  the  "  bulge  "  on  them,  as  we  termed  it,  and  all 
efforts  to  stem  the  tide  were  unavailing.  William  Arm- 
stead  Braxton,  of  King  William  Co.,  Va.,  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  retreat  and  was  taken  to  the  Vineyard, 
where  he  died.  Some  4  or  5  of  Company  D  were  wounded, 
among  them  Nottingham,  of  Maryland.  All  the  prisoners 
and  horses  were  recaptured.  Bredell  was  buried  at  mid 
night  in  a  sand  shoal  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  his  remains 
were  afterwards  removed  to  a  churchyard  near  Piedmont. 


CAPT.  RICHARD  BLAZER, 

Commanding  Independent  Scouts. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  3<DI 

Blazer's  command  was  organized  by  Gen.  Crook  while 
campaigning  in  West  Virginia,  to  hunt  and  destroy  the 
irregular  bands  of  mountaineers  who  were  annoying  him  in 
that  wild  region.  Capt.  Blazer  had  at  one  time  been 
in  charge  of  a  steamboat  on  the  Ohio  River,  and  had 
distinguished  himself  as  a  soldier  and  scout.  It  was  this 
chosen  body  of  fighting  men  that  Sheridan  selected  to 
* 'clean  out  Mosby's  gang."4  By  raiding  through  the  moun 
tains  and  attacking  small  scouting  parties  and  detachments, 
they  had  captured  some  of  "  Mosby's  Men"  and  a  number 
of  men  belonging  to  other  commands.  Capt.  Blazer  was 
not  only  a  brave  man  and  a  hard  fighter,  but  by  his  humane 
and  kindly  treatment,  in  striking  contrast  with  the  usual 
conduct  of  our  enemies,  he  had  so  disarmed  our  citizens 
that  instead  of  fleeing  on  his  approach  and  notifying  ail  sol 
diers,  thus  giving  them  a  chance  to  escape,  but  little  notice 
was  taken  of  him.  Consequently  many  of  our  men  were 
" gobbled  up  "  before  they  were  aware  of  his  presence.5 

4  SHERIDAN  to  AUGUR,  August  20  :  "I  have  100  men  who  will  take  ihe 
contract  to  clean  out  Mosby's  gang.  I  want  100  Spencer  rifles  for  them.  Send 
them  to  me  if  they  can  be  found  in  Washington." 


6  Captain  Blazer 's  Report, 

HEADQUARTERS  INDEPENDENT  SCOUTS, 
Middleto-wn,   Va.  Oct.  2J^  1864. 

SIR  :     I  have  the  honor  of  submitting  the  following  report  of  the  operations 
of  my  command  since  the  i8th  of  August  : 

On  the  i8th,  learning  that  a  party  of  Mosby's  guerrillas  were  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  Myerstown,  I  proceeded  to  that  place  and  overtook  them  near  the  Shen- 
andoah  river,  and,  alter  a  chase  of  three  miles,  I  drove  them  across  the  river, 
capturing  one  prisoner.  The  army  having  fallen  back  to  Halltown  on  the  25th. 
according  to  your  orders,  I  went  into  Loudoun  County,  and  after  operating  for 
several  days  I  killed  five  of  Mosby's  gang  and  captured  three  prisoners.  The 
army  having  again  advanced  to  Berryville,  on  the  night  of  the  3d  of  Septem 
ber  I  learned  that  Mosby,  with  a  considerable  force,  was  at  Snickersville. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  I  crossed  the  river  at  Backus  Ford  and  moved 
up  the  river  to  where  I  could  get  up  the  mountain  through  the  woods.  I 
struck  the  pike  east  of  the  top  of  the  mountain,  and  moved  on  their  camp. 
Finding  that  he  had  left  during  the  night  in  the  direction  of  Charlestown,  I  de 
termined  to  follow.  I  recrossed  the  mountain  through  Lewis  Gap,  and,  by  a 
forced  march,  I  overtook  them  about  2  p.  m.  at  Myer's  Ford,  and,  after  a  spir 
ited  fight  for  several  minutes,  I  completely  routed  them,  with  a  loss  on  his  nart 
of  13  killed,  6  wounded,  5  prisoners  and  17  horses.  My  loss  was  I  killed  and 
6  wounded.  Since  that  I  have  had  several  small  affairs  with  them,  in  which  I 


302  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

After  the  disastrous  affair  at  Myer's  Ford,  where  our  First 
Squadron  was  so  badly  used  up  by  Blazer,  the  men  were 
anxious  to  wipe  out  the  stain  which  they  felt  marred  their 
fair  fame.  The  cutting  words  used  by  Mosby  when  he 
heard  of  the  defeat  of  his  old  Company  A,  still  rang  in  their 
ears: 

"  You  let  the  Yankees  whip  you  ?  I'll  get  hoop  skirts  for 
you  !  I'll  send  you  into  the  first  Yankee  regiment  we  come 
across !" 

At  last  the  opportunity  was  given  them  to  win  back  their 
lost  laurels.  On  the  i/th  of  November  the  First  Squadron 
(Companies  A  and  B)  under  command  of  Capt.  A.  E. 
Richards,  met  at  Bloomfield  and  started  out  to  hunt  up 
Blazer.  One  hundred  and  ten  men  were  present.  Scouts 
were  sent  out,  who  reported  the  enemy  at  Snickersville, 
but  when  we  reached  there  the  birds  had  flown.  We  then 
crossed  the  Shenandoah  below  Castleman's  Ferry  and  halted 
for  the  night  in  Castleman's  Woods.  Scouts  coming  in  re 
ported  Blazer  to  have  been  at  Hillsborough,  in  Loudoun, 
at  i  p.  m.,  which  place  he  left  and  crossing  the  river, 
reached  Kabletown  before  daylight. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th,  Puryear  and  Mc- 
Donough,  who  were  scouting  near  Kabletown,  ran  into  a 
party  of  Blazer's  men  in  the  fog  and  Puryear  was  captured. 


have  always  defeated  them,  except  twice.  On  the  2Oth,  Lieutenant  Evving,  with 
five  men,  was  attacked  on  the  Berryville  pike,  near  the  Opequon,  by  a  superior 
force,  and  all  were  captured  except  himself.  On  the  23d,  Sergeant  Fuller,  of  the 
Fifth  Virginia  Infantry,  with  ten  men,  was  attacked  near  Summit  Point  by  fifty 
or  sixty  guerrillas.  He  fought  them  until  he  was  overpowered  and  four  of  his 
men  were  killed,  one  wounded  and  the  rest  all  captured  but  three,  who  made 
their  escape. 

Having  learned  that  a  man  by  the  name  of  Marshall  was  recruiting  a  com 
pany  in  the  vicinity  of  Ashby's  Gap,  and  that  they  were  to  organize  on 
the  25th,  I  proceeded  to  their  reported  rendezvous,  near  White  Post,  and  com 
pletely  surprised  them,  getting  Marshall  and  four  of  his  men,  and  capturing 
all  of  his  papers.  In  another  affair  below  Front  Royal  I  left  eight  of  his  mur 
derers  to  keep  company  with  some  that  (were)  left  by  General  Custer  ;  these, 
with  a  number  of  others  that  I  have  picked  up  through  the  country,  make  an 
aggregate,  in  killed,  44  ;  wounded,  12,  and  prisoners,  including  two  captured 
in  the  advance  to  Cedar  Creek  the  first  time,  12. 

My  entire  loss  is  5  men  killed,  7  wounded  and  8  prisoners. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  303 

McDonough,  who  had  been  placed  under  the  ban  by  the 
Federal  authorities,6  refused  to  allow  the  strangers  to  ride 
up  to  him,  made  his  escape,  and  brought  in  the  news  of  Pur- 
year's  capture. 

We  now  moved  down  the  west  side  of  the  river.  Cap 
tain  Richards  said :  "  Blazer  is  now  camped  near  Kable- 
town ;  as  soon  as  you  come  in  sight  of  his  pickets,  draw 
your  pistols  and  move  off  at  a  gallop,  but  don't  fire  a  shot  or 
raise  a  yell  until  you  hear  the  shooting  in  front.  Don't 
shoot  until  you  get  close  to  them,  among  them.  They've 
got  Puryear  and  4  other  prisoners  and  you  may  kill  some  of 
them." 

We  moved  quietly  along  and  soon  came  in  sight  of  the 
blue  smoke  curling  up  in  the  woods  near  town.  When  the 
woods  were  reached,  the  command  moved  on  at  a  gallop 
and  dashed,  into  the  camp,  but  found  it  deserted.  The 
fires,  still  burning,  a  huge  pile  of  corn  in  the  center  of  the 
camp,  and  a  bundle  of  newspapers  lying  unopened  near  by, 
showed  that  the  enemy  had  left  but  a  short  time  before.  A 
halt  was  ordered  and  scouts  were  sent  out.  They  soon  re 
turned,  bringing  word  that  Blazer  had  passed  on  but  a  few 
moments  previous  to  our  coming,  and  was  moving  toward 
the  river  in  search  of  Richards,  who  he  now  knew  to  be  in  the 
neighborhood.  A  person  we  met  said  in  reply  to  a  question 
concerning  their  number :  "  There  are  105  of  them,  with 
5  prisoners."  One  of  Blazer's  men,  either  a  straggler  or  a 
scout,  came  leisurely  along,  walking  his  horse,  and  was 
made  prisoner. 

As  we  moved  along  the  road,  a  couple  of  Federal  caval 
rymen  were  observed  dashing  across  a  field  from  one  piece 

6  STEVENSON  to  HARDIE,  Oct.  22  :  "I  have  this  morning  received  positive 
information  of  the  fate  of  Captain  Buchanan  and  his  orderly.  He  was  mur 
dered  by  his  captors  near  Brook's  Furnace,  on  the  Shenandoah  River,  by  two 
men  by  the  name  of  Charles  McDonough  and  Wirt  Ashby,  who  had  captured 
him.  I  can  recover  the  bodies  at  any  time.  I  have  the  papers  found  upon  the 
body  of  Capt.  B.,  fully  identifying  him." 

Indorsement  :  "  Capt.  Evan  M.  Buchanan,  commissary  of  subsistence, 
Third  Division,  Sixth  Corps,  was  murdered  on  the  3Oth  day  of  September,  1864, 
by  a  party  under  the  leadership  of  Charles  McDonough,  of  Charlestown,  Vi  , 
a  bushwhacker  and  assassin." 


304  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

of  woods  to  another,  and  the  whole  rolumn  soon  came  in 
sight,  moving  slowly  along.  They  also  saw  us  as  we 
marched  and  followed  on,  no  doubt  thinking  that  Richards 
wished  to  avoid  a  fight. 

Turning  off  from  the  road  near  Myerstown  through  a  little 
skirt  of  woods,  Richards  drew  up  his  men  in  a  hollow  in  the 
center  of  an  open  field  facing  the  woods,  which  hid  them 
from  the  view  of  those  in  the  road.  The  Federals  followed 
closely  after  us.  Captain  Richards  and  his  brother,  Thomas 
Richards,  remained  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  watching 
their  movements.  Carlisle,  who  had  been  imbibing  a  little, 
being  in  a  good  humor  for  fighting,  amused  our  boys  while 

we  were  awaiting  the   onset,  by 
r-~s    dashing    into    the    woods    and 
looking  at   the  enemy  and   then 
galloping  back.    He  fired  a  shot 
at    them,   and    on    coming    back 
Lieutenant  Hatcher  said :    "  Car 
lisle,  what  doyou  mean  by  shooting 
about  here  ?  "    "I  saw  Puryear," 
said  Carlisle,  "  and  he  told  me  to 
j    shoot.    Harry,  if  you  will  go  with 
!    me  we  can  whip  them." 
™       Seeing     Blazer's     men     taking 

SYDNOK  G.  FERGUSON,  co.  B.     down  the  fence  and  dismounting, 

From  a  war  Photograph.  Captain  Richards  thought  their 

intention   was   to    dismount    and 

fight  us  at  long  range,  which  would  give  them  every  advan 
tage,  with  their  guns— they  being  sheltered  by  the  woods 
and  we  being  exposed  to  their  fire  in  the  open  field. 

Richards  called  out  to  Lieutenant  Hatcher :  "  Harry,  they 
are  dismounting."  Hatcher  started  a  few  men  to  pull  down 
a  gap  in  a  fence  in  our  rear,  and  Company  A  was  ordered 
to  move  off  as  if  retreating.  This  ruse  had  the  desired 
effect,  for  we  had  scarcely  moved  off  from  the  head  of  our 
line  when  Richards  again  called  out :  "  Harry,  they  are 
charging." 

Company  B  was  still  in  line,  but  as  we  wheeled  we  saw 
tnem  charge  up  to  the  woods.  Company  A,  led  by  Hatcher, 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  305 

now  swept  over  the  intervening  space  at  full  speed  and 
dashed  with  the  fury  of  a  tornado  on  the  flank  -of  the  Fed 
eral  column.  Blazer's  men  used  their  carbines  at  first,  until 
we  got  fairly  among  them,  when  they  drew  their  revolvers. 
They  fought  desperately,  but  our  men  pressed  on,  broke 
them  and  finally  drove  them  from  the  field.  The  road  for  a 
distance  of  several  miles  bore  evidence  of  the  deadly  con 
flict,  as  well  as  the  discomfiture  of  the  Federals.  One  tall 
fellow,  who  bore  the  not  uncommon  name  of  Smith,  was 
pursued  by  Captain  Hamner.  Hamner  fired  at  him  repeat 
edly,  especially  each  time  that  Smith  would  turn  in  his  sad 
dle  and  put  up  his  carbine  to  get  a  shot  at  him.  In  lieu  of 
bullets,  Smith  sent  back  volleys  of  curses  at  each  shot,  but 
refused  to  surrender,  until  a  pistol  was  snapped  in  his  face 
and  he  found  escape  impossible. 

Blazer  used  every  endeavor  to  rally  his  flying  followers ; 
but  seeing  the  utter  destruction  of  his  command,  and  being 
well  mounted,  he  endeavored  to  make  his  escape.  Onward 
he  dashed,  steadily  increasing  the  distance  betwen  himself 
and  most  of  his  pursuers,  but  a  young  man  named  Fergu 
son,7  mounted  on  his  fleet  mare  "  Fashion,"  followed  close 
on  Blazer's  heels.  After  emptying  his  pistol  without  being 
able  to  hit  or  halt  the  fugitive,  he  drove  spurs  into  his  horse 
and  urging  her  alongside  the  Captain,  dealt  him  a  blow  with 
his  pistol  which  knocked  him  from  his  horse  and  landed 
him  in  a  fence  corner. 

"  Boys,"  said  Blazer,  when  able  to  speak,  4<  you  have 
whipped  us  fairly.  All  I  ask  is  that  you  treat  us  well." 

His  wounded  head  was  tied  up  with  a  handkerchief,  and 
he  soon  appeared  somewhat  reconciled  to  his  fate.8 

Twenty-four  Federals  were  killed,  a  number  wounded— 
many  mortally — and  62  prisoners  taken.  Fifty  horses,  with 
their  equipments,  were  captured. 

7  Rev.  Sydnor  G.  Ferguson,  a  Methodist  minister  of  Fredericksburg,  Ya. 

8  After  his  release  from  prison,  Blazer  returned  to  his  regiment,  the  Ninety- 
first  Ohio.     After  the  war  he  lived  at  Gallipolis,  Ohio,  until  1878,  when  he  con 
tracted  yellow  fever  from  the  victims  of  the  ill-fated  steamer   "  John  Porter," 
and  died.          See  "Blazer  Affair"  in  Appendix. 


306  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Richards  had  one  man,  Hudgins,  from  Rappahannock, 
mortally  wounded,  and  a  number  of  others  wounded, — but 
not  seriously — among  them  Charles  McDonough,  Richard 
Farr,  William  Trammell,  C.  Maddux,  and  Frank  Sedg- 
wick.9 

In  connection  with  the  wounding  of  McDonough  an  inci 
dent  occurred  which  may  be  unknown  to  many  of  our  men. 
In  a  hand-to-hand  fight  with  one  of  Blazer's  men,  Mc 
Donough  had  fired  his  last  shot,  killing  his  enemy's  horse.  As 
he  fired  he  said  :  "  Harrell,  you  -  -  — ,  I  am  going  to  kill 
you."  He  then  called  to  one  of  our  men,  John  Foster,  who 
was  passing  :  "  John,  lend  me  a  pistol."  Knowing  that  Mc 
Donough  had  sworn  never  to  be  taken  or  to  take  a  prisoner, 
Foster  said,  "  Go  on,  and  I'll  take  him."  "  No,"  said  Mc 
Donough  ;  "  the  -  —has  shot  me."  Knowing  that  some 
of  the  Federals  in  that  fight  had  resumed  hostilities  after  sur 
rendering,  Foster  took  it  for  granted  that  this  one  had  done 
tue  same,  and  handed  McDonough  a  pistol.  McDonough 
snapped  it  three  times  at  the  man  as  he  lay  pinned  to  the 
ground  by  his  dead  horse.  At  the  third  trial  the  weapon 
exploded  and  the  ball  struck  him  in  the  top  of  the  head,  the 
blood  spurting  up  like  a  fountain.  It  was  afterwards 
learned  that  this  man,  whom  McDonough  had  recognized  in 

9  HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DISTRICT  OF  HARPER'S  FERRY. 

Harper1  s  Ferry,  Nov.  19,  1864. 

STEVENSON  to  FORSYTH  :  "  Two  of  Captain  Blazer's  men  came  in  this 
morning,  privates  Harris  and  Johnson.  They  report  that  Mosby,  with  300 
men,  attacked  Blazer  near  Kabletown  yesterday  about  n  o'clock.  They  say 
that  the  entire  command,  with  the  exception  of  themselves,  was  either 
captured  or  killed. 

I  have  ordered  out  Major  Congdon,  with  300  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cav  • 
airy,  to  Kabletown,  to  bury  dead  and  take  care  of  wounded,  if  any,  and  report 
all  facts  he  can  learn.  Shall  immediately  furnish  report  as  soon  as  received." 

CROWNINSHIELD  to  DANA,  Nov.  20  :  "  Mosby  has  not  troubled  us  yet.  On 
the  i8th  instant  Mosby  had  a  fight  with  a  Captain  Blazer,  who  commands  an 
independent  company  of  scouts,  and  defeated  him,  taking  the  captain  and  most 
of  his  men  prisoners.  Three  of  Blazer's  men  came  into  my  camp.  I  sent 
them  to  Harper's  Ferry.  The  fight  took  place  near  Kabletown.  I  suppose 
Mosby  recrossed  the  river  at  Smither's  Ford.  He  is  reported  to  have  had 
about  300  men." 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  307 

the  fight,  was  a  deserter  from  his  regiment  in  the  regular 
service.10 

The  5  prisoners  who  had  been  picked  up  by  Blazer  were, 
of  course,  released.  Puryear  was  in  the  rear,  under  guard, 
when  the  charge  was  made.  He  had  a  stout  stick  in  his 
hand,  which  he  had  provided  for  use,  knowing  that  the 
party  would  be  attacked,  but  which  he  pretended  to  need 
to  urge  his  horse  forward.  As  soon  as  the  chase  com 
menced  he  turned  his  attention  from  his  horse  to  his  captors, 
one  of  whom  he  belabored  to  his  heart's  content,  until  he 
procured  a  pistol,  with  which  he  joined  in  the  pursuit. 

There  have  been  so  many  different  statements  made  con 
cerning  the  killing  of  Lieutenant  Cole  that,  while  not  myself 
a  witness  to  the  occurrence,  although  a  participant  in  the 
fight,  I  wish  to  give  what  I  believe  to  be  the  correct  ver 
sion.  It  was  written  by  one  who  was  an  eye-witness,  and 
whom  I  know  to  be  thoroughly  reliable.  It  is  from  an  ac 
count  of  the  fight  published  in  the  Richmond  Times,  written 
by  John  H.  Alexander.  I  have  always  felt  that  the  killing 
of  this  man,  a  defenseless  prisoner,  was  unjustifiable  and 
deserving  of  the  severest  censure. 

Speaking  of  Puryear's  treatment  while  in  the  hands  of 
the  Federals,  he  says : 

P was   a  brave    youth,  who    bore    a    heart    always 

ready  for  a  soldier's  fate,  and  he  bowed  to  the  inevitable 
with  the  best  grace  he  could.  But  an  experience  awaited 
him  of  which  he,  poor  fellow,  little  dreamed.  When  he  was 
carried  by  his  captors  back  to  Lieutenant  Cole,  the  second 
in  command  to  Blazer,  and  who  had  charge  of  the  scouts, 

10  McDonough's  life  had  been  a  desperate  one,  and  his  end  was  tragic.  After 
the  surrender,  the  Federal  soldiers  were  hunting  him.  One  day  in  the  month 
of  June  a  body  of  Federal  cavalry  was  seen  by  McDonough  and  a  companion, 
coming  down  the  pike  in  the  neighborhood  of  Middleburg.  McDonough  gal 
loped  up  to  them  by  the  Plains  road,  fired  several  shots  at  them  and  then  turned 
to  run.  After  running  200  or  300  yards,  his  horse  ran  over  a  hog  in  the  road 
and,  falling,  threw  him.  He  then  ran  into  a  grove,  pursued  by  the  Federals, 
one  of  whom,  at  the  first  fire,  shot  off  McDonough's  trigger  finger.  They  im 
mediately  closed  in  around  him  in  the  grove.  Seeing  that  there  was  no  chance 
of  escape,  and  having  sworn  no  Federal  should  ever  take  him,  he  took  his  pis 
tol  in  his  left  hand  and,  placing  the  muzzle  in  his  mouth,  fired,  killing  himself 
instantly. 


308 

that  officer  of  course  questioned  him  as  to  the  whereabouts 
of  our  command,  and  equally,  of  course,  he  refused  to  give 
any  information.  Lieutenant  Cole  should  not  have  ex 
pected  it  from  him.  But  I  suppose  he  was  a  man  who 
looked  upon  war  as  a  barbarous  business,  anyhow,  and  con 
sidered  barbarous  means  justifiable  for  the  achievement  of 

a  military  success.     At  any  rate,  he  insisted  upon  P 's 

betraying  his  comrades,  and  when  threats  of  instant  death 
failed  to  move  the  loyal-hearted  lad,  he  proceeded  appar 
ently  to  put  his  threats  into  execution.  A  rope  was  placed 
around  the  prisoner's  neck  and  he  was  suspended  from  a 
tree  until  nearly  unconscious,  and  then  lowered  and  again 
questioned.  Once,  even  twice,  was  this  repeated.  But  the 
boy  still  refused  to  answer,  and  the  brutal  torture  was 
stayed.  Possibly  the  exigencies  of  the  hour  were  more  re 
sponsible  for  it  than  any  spirit  of  relenting  on  the  part  of 
Lieutenant  Cole. 

As  to  the  capture  and  killing  of  Cole  he  says : 

As  the  rout  passed  Myer's  shop  I  saw  a  Federal  officer 
strike  out  from  the  main  body  of  flying  men,  evidently  to 
seek  his  own  salvation.  My  horse,  which  was  strong  and 
fleet,  made  after  him,  and  in  less  than  a  hundred  yards'  run, 
I  was  alongside  of  him.  On  my  call  to  surrender  he  halted 
and  raised  both  hands.  I  saw  that  his  pistols  were  in  his 
holster,  and  leaned  over  to  unbuckle  his  belt  and  secure 
them.  As  I  was  bent  over  my  attention  was  attracted  by 
the  sound  of  horses'  feet,  and  I  raised  my  head  to  see 
P—  -  rein  up  behind  us.  His  face  was  distorted  with 
anger  or  excitement,  and  he  was  pointing  a  cocked  pistol 
at  the  officer's  head. 

He  was,  of  course,  released  from  his  captivity  as  soon  as 
Blazer's  column  broke.  I  learned  afterwards  that  he  had  at 
once  fell  upon  his  guard  and  wrested  his  revolver  from  him 
and  fell  into  the  chase.  Lieutenant  Cole  became  the  single 
object  of  his  pursuit,  and,  his  eye  once  falling  upon  him,  he 
had  followed  him  like  a  Nemesis  throughout  the  whole  des 
perate  race  until  he  came  up  with  him  in  my  possession. 

I  raised  my  hand  and  said  :  "  Don't  shoot  this  man  :  he 
has  surrendered." 

P —  -  answered,  with  an  oath:  "  The  rascal  tried  to  hang 
me  this  morning."  I  knew  that  he  had  been  in  the  enemy's 
hands,  and  asked  the  prisoner  if  what  he  charged  was 
true.  There  was  a  moment's  hesitation,  and  no  response  ; 
then  the  crack  of  a  pistol,  and  Lieutenant  Cole  fell  against 
my  side  and  rolled  to  the  ground  between  his  horse  and 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  309 

mine.  I  dismounted  and  took  his  belt,  with  a  pair  of  re 
volvers,  from  around  him.  Let  me  pay  this  tribute  to  his 
memory — both  pistols  were  empty.  I  believe  I  failed  to 
state  that  when  I  overtook  him  he  was  bleeding  profusely 
from  a  wound  in  the  breast,  which  he  had  received  in  the 
fight.  As  I  moved  away  he  rolled  his  dying  eyes  toward 
me  with  a  look  I  shall  never  forget  and  I  would  gladly  have 
tarried  to  give  him  such  comfort  as  I  could.  But  this  was 
no  time  for  sympathy,  and  I  hurried  back  to  the  road. 

The  prisoners  were  sent  South  under  guard  of  4  men. 

Returning  from  Richmond  after  delivering  our  prisoners 
at  Libby  prison,  we  met  near  Rapidan  Station  a  party  of  19 
prisoners  and  17  mules,  under  guard  of  5  men,  captured 


PROVOST  MARSHAL'S   OFFICE,  A.  "N.  VA., 

PaS3 


By  order  of  Gen.  11.  E.  LEE-. 


NrTa.rooroa.^rCrordonswlIe 


by  Captain  Montjoy  near  Winchester.  Farther  on,  we  met 
a  squad  of  8  prisoners  captured  by  Lieutenant  Frank  Turner 
near  Summit  Point.  At  Culpeper  Court  House  wefell  in 
with  a  guard  and  23  prisoners  that  had  been  captured  by 
Captain  Chapman  in  the  Valley.  From  this  one  can  form 
some  idea  of  the  number  of  prisoners  that,  when  the  armies 
were  in  motion,  were  captured  daily  by  Mosby's  Rangers. 
Sunday,  November  W. — Company  F  met  at  Paris.  Lieut. 
Frank  Turner  was  sent  to  the  Valley  with  a  detachment  of 
32  men.  Within  one  mile  of  a  brigade  camp  near  Summit 
Point  he  captured  8  men  and  an  equal  number  of  horses  and 
mules.  He  sent  out  his  captures  under  guard  and  then 
moved  off  toward  Winchester. 


3io 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


After  marching  around  through  rain,  snow  and  sleet  for 
two  days,  on  the  22d  he  met  Company  K  (52  men)  of  the 
Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry  on  the  turnpike  about  2  miles 
below  Charlestown.  He  routed  them,  killing  and  wounding 
several  and  capturing  14  prisoners  and  12  horses  with  their 
equipments.  He  returned  to  Fauquier  on  the  2^d,  without 
loss  or  injury,  except  one  horse  wounded. 

Wednesday,  November  23. — About  65  men  of  Companies 
C  and  E  met  at  Paris.  Led  by  Lieut.  John  Russell,  they 

crossed  the  Shenandoah  at 
Berry's  Ferry  to  wards  even 
ing  and  moving  off  in  the 
jr  direction  of  White  Post,  lay 

in  the  woods  until  midnight, 
when  Mosby  and  Capt.  Will 
iam  Chapman  joined  them. 
On  the  morning  of  the  24th, 
while  out  with  a  scouting 
party,  Chapman  captured  5 
prisoners,  who  were  sent  off 
^ in  charge  of  Frank  M.  An- 

IV  JjH|  gelo-     Seeing     a     foraging 

party  with  a  small  train  of 
wagons,  Chapman  hastened 
J|  back  to  the  command  with 

this  information  and  Mosby 
started  in  pursuit.  The 
wagons  were  overtaken 
just  as  they  met  another 

train  coming  from  camp.  As  a  charge  had  been  ordered 
before  the  approach  of  the  second  train  had  been  noticed, 
the  men  dashed  on  and,  scattering  the  guards,  drove  them 
into  the  brigade  camp.  For  a  time  everything  was  in  con 
fusion,  but  the  Federals  rallied  and  the  Rangers  were 
compelled  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat.  Mosby  was  riding  a 
young  horse,  which  broke  its  bit  and  become  unmanageble. 
By  the  coolness  of  his  men  and  his  own  presence  of  mind  he 
was  enabled  to  escape.  Captain  Chapman  had  his  horse 
killed,  but  John  Kirwin,  of  Company  C,  dismounted  and  gave 


LIEUT.  W.  GARLAND  SMITH,  CO.  G. 
From  a  recent  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  311 

his  horse  to  Chapman,  while  he  jumped  up  behind  a  com 
rade  and  made  his  way  out. 

Frank  M.  Angelo,  while  proceeding  along  with  his  pris 
oners,  fell  in  with  a  party  of  the  Federals  who  had  struck 
across  the  country  to  cut  our  men  off  from  the  river,  and 
was  captured.  He  was  taken  to  Martinsburg  and  put  in  jail. 
On  the  first  night  of  his  imprisonment  he  opened  the  jail  door 
and  boldly  walked  out,  reaching  Fauquier  safely  on  the  fol 
lowing  day.  (See  Appendix,  XLI.) 

Sunday,  November  27. — Captain  Montjoy,  with  Company 
D,  went  down  into  the  lower  part  of  Loudoun,  in  search  of 
the  Loudoun  Rangers.  Not  finding  them  at  Waterford, 
one  of  their  favorite  resorts,  he  proceeded  in  the  direction 
of  Leesburg.  At  Goresville  he  fell  in  with  a  detachment 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Graham,  who  had  been 
on  a  raid  to  Leesburg,  where  they  had  captured  Fred.  Smith 
and  Cleveland  Coleman.  As  soon  as  attacked,  Keyes'  men 
started  on  a  run,  one  party,  under  Graham,  making  for  the 
Potomac,  while  the  other,  under  Lieutenant  Rhodes,  rushed 
wildly  along  toward  Leesburg.  They  lost  about  20  in  all, 
killed,  wounded  and  captured  ;  among  the  prisoners  were 
Lieutenants  Graham  and  Rhodes.11 

11  BURTNETE  to  STEVENSON,  Nov.  28  :  "I  have  been  in  Loudoun  4  miles. 
Mosby  is  in  command.  His  force  is  scattered  in  squads  from  25  to  150.  About 
100  turned  off  at  Hamilton  toward  Fauquier  County  ;  the  balance  came  this  way 
(Point  of  Rocks)  in  detachments.  Lieutenant  Graham,  of  Keyes'  Cavalry,  with 
34  men,  went  out  this  morning  at  6  o'clock  beyond  Leesburg  and  captured  the 
assistant  adjutant  general  of  General  Gordon  and  one  private.  Returning  he 
met  the  enemy  at  Goresville  in  force.  Graham's  command  was  cut  in  the  cen 
ter  certain,  were  driven  within  2  miles  of  this  place,  and  Lieutenant  Graham 
captured  ;  the  other  made  for  Leesburg,  with  Lieutenant  Rhodes  ;  these  have 
not  been  heard  from.  But  16  of  the  command  have  come  in  ;  what  has  be 
come  of  the  remainder  is  unknown.  Mosby  has  returned  toward  Hamilton, 
and  will  in  all  probability  remain  there  for  the  night.  A  force  of  200  cavalry 
from  Mouth  of  Monocacy,  14  miles  from  Hamilton,  and  an  equal  force  from 
Harper's  Ferry,  18  miles  from  there,  could  use  up  Mosby 's  command.  I  can 
send  Keyes  to  Monocacy  to  pilot  the  200  stationed  there  to  Hamilton.  Captain 
Keyes  has  25  men  for  duty." 

KEYES  to  ADAMS,  Nov.  29  :  "I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  detachment 
of  this  command  of  34  men,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Robt.  Graham, 
left  camp  on  the  28th  instant,  between  5  and  6a.m.,  crossed  the  river  at 
Cheek's  Ford,  proceeded  toward  Leesburg,  crossed  the  Leesburg  road  at  Big 


312 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


As  Captain  Montjoy,  with  Lieutenant  Grogan,  was  lead 
ing  his  men  in  the  pursuit,  he  was  killed  by  a  chance  shot 
fired  by  one  of  the  fugitives  near  the  "  Burnt  Chimney." 
One  of  the  Federals,  without  even  looking  behind,  put  his 
pistol  over  his  shoulder  and  fired,  the  ball  striking  Montjoy 

in  the  head.  He  was  a 
brave,  dashing  young  offi 
cer.  The  following  order, 
issued  by  Colonel  Mosby, 
shows  the  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held.  He  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Warrenton. 

"  GENERAL  ORDERS,  J 

No.  — -.  f 

"  HEADQUARTERS  430  } 
BATTALION  P.  R.  V 
December  3,  186  J^.  ) 
"  The  Lieutenant-Colonel 
commanding  announces  to 
the  Battalion,  with  emo 
tions  of  deep  sorrow,  the 
death  of  Captain  R.  P. 
Montjoy,  who  fell  in  action 
near  Leesburg  on  the  2/th 
ultimo,  a  costly  sacrifice  to 
victory.  He  died  too  early 
for  liberty  and  his  country's  cause,  but  not  too  early  for  his 
own  fame.  To  his  comrades  in  arms  he  has  bequeathed  an 
immortal  example  of  daring  and  valor,  and  to  his  country  a 
name  that  will  brighten  the  page  of  her  history." 

Spring,  there  struck  the  Catoctin  Mountain,  crossed  the  Winchester  pike  at 
Clark's  Gap,  then  proceeded  to  Dry  Mill,  south  of  Leesburg,  there  took  the  road 
to  Leesburg  ;  heard  that  a  small  force  of  15  or  20  rebels  were  in  town  ;  charged 
through  the  town  and  captured  Captain  Smith,  adjutant-general  on  Major- 
General  Gordon's  staff  ;  also  captured  one  private  belonging  to  the  Loudoun 
Cavalry.  Left  Leesburg  and  took  the  road  leading  to  Point  of  Rocks.  Met 
Mosby's  command  at  Goresville,  numbering  from  150  to  200  men,  where  a 
small  skirmish  took  place.  Lieutenant  Graham  and  Lieutenant  Rhodes  and  5 
or  6  privates  are  still  missing. 

"  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  Captain  Montjoy  killed,  who,  it  was  said  was  in 
command  ;  one  lieutenant  wounded,  and  2  privates  killed." 

BURTNETE   to  STEVENSON,   Dec.    6  :     "  Information  from    various  sources, 


CAPT.  R.  P.  MONTJOY,  CO.  D. 
Killed  near  Goresville,  Loudoun  Co.,  Va. 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


After  Montjoy's  death,  Lieut.  Alfred  Glascock  was  ap 
pointed  Captain  of  Company  D. 

The  Artillery  Company  was  disbanded,  pursuant  to  the 
following  order  issued  by  the  War  department : 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  ) 
No.  261.          f 

ADJT.  AND  INSP.  GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  ) 
Richmond,  Nov.  2,  1864.      f 

XVII.  The  company  of  artillery  attached  to  the  command 
of  Lieut.  Col.  John  S.  Mosby  and  organized  under  the  au 
thority  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  is  hereby  disbanded. 
The  men  will  be  incorpo 
rated  into  the  other  com 
panies  of  the  command  or 
be  forwarded  to  Camp  Lee 
for  general  assignment  as 
conscripts. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary 
of  War. 

JOHN  W.  RIELY, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

On  Monday,  November 
28,  the  Artillery  Company 
met  for  reorganization  and, 
as  Company  G,  elected  as 
Captain,  Thos.  W.  T.  Rich 
ards,  brother  of  Capt.  A.  E. 
Richards.  The  other  offi 
cers  were  not  elected  until 
some  time  after,  when  John 
N.  Murphy  was  chosen  First 
Lieutenant,  W.  Garland 
Smith,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  John  W.  Puryear,  Third 
Lieutenant. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  Capt.  T.  W.  T.  Richards 
left  Washington  City,  where  he  was  a  student  in  Colum- 

each  not  cognizant  of  the  other,  satisfies  me  that  Mosby  with  300  men,  was  to 
day  at  Dry  Mill,  2|  miles  westward  from  Leesburg.  He  has  Lieutenants 
Graham  and  Rhodes,  of  Keyes'  Cavalry,  and  several  prisoners  from  General 
Merritt's  command.  He  has  informed  citizens  that  he  intends  to  hang  Lieu- 


LIEUT.  JOHN  N.  MURPHY,  CO.  G 

From  a  Photograph  taken  when   Captain  of 

Co.  C,  gth  Virginia  Cavalry. 


314  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

bia  College,  enlisting  first  in  the  Eighth  Virginia  Infantry, 
and  afterwards  serving  in  the  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry- 
He  joined  Mosby,  and  in  the  fight  on  May  3d,  1863, 
at  Warrenton  Junction,  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner; 
he  returned  to  his  command  after  an  imprisonment  of 
12  months.  The  letter  here  given,  from  General  Lee  to 
Secretary  Seddon,  is  a  guarantee  of  his  fitness  for  the 
position.  He  went  to  the  Northern  Neck,  but  did  not  meet 
the  success  anticipated  and  again  returned  to  his  command. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

August  9,  186 '4. 
Hon.  SECRETARY  OF  WAR,  Rick  mond. 

SIR:     When  applied  to  some  time  ago  to  devise   some 
mode  to  relieve  the  people  of  the  Northern   Neck  and  the 

South  side  of  the  Rappahannock 
from  outrages  by  the  enemy,  I  ad 
vised  that  all  citizens  capable  of 
bearing  arms  be  organized  for  the 
defense  of  their  property  and  fam 
ilies.  At  the  same  time  I  inquired 
of  Colonel  Mosby  if  he  could  recom 
mend  some  one,  experienced  in  the 
kind  of  service  which  the  necessities 
of  the  exposed  districts  will  require, 
to  aid  in  organizing  the  citizens  and 
controlling  their  operations.  He 
has  recently  replied  to  my  letter 
and  recommended  very  highly  the 

CAPT.  T.  w.  T.  RICHARDS,    bearer  of  this,  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Rich- 
co.  G.  ards,  as  a  man  of  approved  courage, 

From  a  War-time  Photograph.       of  good  character,  and  fitted  by  ex 
perience  for  the  duty.     I  therefore 

respectfully  advise  that  you  send  Mr.  Richards  to  the  country 
in  question,  with  a  letter  to  the  most  prominent  citizens,  ex 
planatory  of  his  object,  and  asking  their  co-operation,  at  the 
same  time  giving  him  authority  to  raise  a  command  for  local 
defense  in  conformity  to  law,  but  strictly  prohibiting  him 
from  receiving  any  absentees  from  the  army  or  persons 

tenant  Graham  as  a  deserter  from  the  C.  S.  Army.  Graham's  term  of  service 
was  out  before  his  term  of  service,  one  year,  had  expired.  You  may  rely  upon 
this  information  as  correct.  Cannot  something  be  done  to  take  Mosby's  com 
mand  ?  Corporal  Tretapoe,  who  took  French  Bill,  shot  one  of  Mosby's  men 
yesterday  ;  he  died  this  morning  at  Lovettsville.  He  is  out  again  after  more." 


MOSBYS   RANGERS.  315 

liable  to  enrollment  in  the  general  service.  I  think  such  a 
command,  well  managed,  will  contribute  greatly  to  the 
security  of  the  people  and  their  property. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

[Indorsement.] 

August  10,  1864. 

Grant  such  authority  as  is  recommended  by  General  Lee. 
Let  the  officer  have  a  certified  copy  of  this  letter  from  Gen 
eral  Lee,  which  will  be  his  best  recommendation  to  the 
citizens  of  the  Northern  Neck.  Refer  him,  too,  to  General 
Kemper,  to  whom  he  will  report  for  the  present,  and  will 
co-operate  with  the  reserves. 

J.  A.  S.,  Secretary. 

Lieut.  John  N.  Murphy  first  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Virginia 
Cavalry,  in  which  regiment  he  was  promoted  to  the  cap 
taincy  of  Company  C.  Owing  to  poor  health,  he  was  kept 
away  from  his  company,  and  being  unwilling  to  deprive  his 
officers  of  the  promotion  they  merited  by  continual  ser 
vice,  he  resigned.  On  recovering,  a  captain's  commission 
was  given  him  to  recruit  a  company  in  the  Northern  Neck. 
He  there  experienced  the  same  difficulties  that  Richards 
did,  and  joined  him  in  forming  Company  G. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

November    and    December,    1864 — General    Merritt's    Raid    Through    Loudoun — Laying  Waste 
"  Mosby's  Confederacy  "—Sheridan's   Orders  to   Merritt— The   Work  of   Destruction- 
Burning  and  Plunder— Robbing  the  Poor-House — Welt   Hatcher  Shoots  a  Federal  Officer 
in  the  Midst  of  his  Men— Merritt's  Report — Report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Crowninshield . 

On  the  28th  of  November,  1864,  while  a  little  party  of 
us  were  sitting  around  the  fireside  after  dinner,  at  the  hos 
pitable  mansion  at  Ayreshire,  near  Upperville,  the  residence 
of  Mr.  George  S.  Ayre,  our  host  came  in  and  said  : 

"  Boys,  I  don't  know  that  there  is  anything  wrong,  but  I 
think  you  had  better  be  out  and  looking  around.  One  of 
the  black  boys  says  he  heard  a  number  of  shots  out  toward 
Upperville,  and  heard  some  one  calling  out  '  Halt."' 

We  immediately  went  to  the  stable  and  got  up  our  horses. 
While  doing  so  we  heard  several  shots  fired.  Soon  a  boy 
rode  up  to  the  gate,  pale  with  fright,  and  asked  how  he 
could  get  to  the  mountains,  saying :  "  The  Yankees  are  in 
Upperville  !" 

We  soon  saw  flames  bursting  out  in  the  direction  of  town, 
from  burning  hay-stacks,  barns  and  stables.  Later  we 
learned  that  two  brigades  of  Federal  cavalry,  under  General 
Merritt,  had  crossed  the  Shenandoah  at  Berry's  Ferry  and 
advanced  through  Ashby's  Gap  ;  that  they  had  come  over 
for  the  purpose  of  laying  waste  the  country.  As  an  excuse 
for  this  savage  and  barbarous  proceeding,  they  claimed  to 
do  so  with  the  object  of  driving  Mosby  from  the  country. 
Mosby,  however,  remained  and  was  among  those  least 
affected  by  the  burning. 

At  night  the  Federal  forces  camped  near  Upperville,  while 
around  them  on  all  sides  the  dull  fires  blazed  lazily.  Ever 
and  anon,  as  the  night  wind  stirred  up  the  dying  embers  of 
the  result  of  some  poor  farmer's  toil,  the  bright  flames  would 
shoot  up  for  a  few  moments,  illuminating  the  scene  and  then 
again  relapsing  into  darkness. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  317 

Early  on  the  morning-  of  the  2Qth  we  arose,  hoping  to  find 
the  enemy  leaving,  after  their  acts  of  the  previous  day. 
But  it  was  a  vain  hope — we  found  their  work  of  destruction 
was  only  commenced.  Another  brigade  of  Federal  cavalry 
crossed  the  Shenandoah  and  marched  through  Snicker's 
Gap  to  join  the  force  of  military  incendiaries.  Soon  the 
curling  smoke  was  rising  in  dense  volumes,  streaming  heav 
enward,  as  if  appealing  to  God  for  mercy,  or  invoking  His 
vengeance  upon  the  authors  of  these  foul  deeds,  while 
around  the  fires  dark  forms  were  flitting,  like  demons  let 
loose  to  perform  on  earth  their  hellish  work.  As  the  fires 
became  more  numerous,  the  heavy  mass  of  smoke  spread 
out  and  settled  over  the  Valley  like  a  thick  fog,  obscuring 
the  view  so  that  at  one  time,  while  riding  along  with  a  few 
of  our  men,  we  could  distinctly  hear  the  voices  of  our  ene 
mies  in  conversation,  although  we  could  not  see  them. 

The  Federals  separated  into  three  parties,  one  of  which 
went  along  the  Bloomfield  road  and  down  Loudoun,  in  the 
direction  of  the  Potomac  ;  another  passed  along  the  Pied 
mont  pike  to  Rectortown,  Salem  and  around  to  Middle- 
burg  ;  while  the  main  body  kept  along  the  turnpike  to  Aldie, 
where  the}'  struck  the  Snickersville  pike.  Thus  they 
scoured  the  country  completely  from  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the 
Bull  Run  mountains.1 

1  As  all  efforts  made  to  drive  out  or  destroy  Mosby  and  his  command  had 
so  far  proved  fruitless,  Halleck  sent  the  following  dispatch  to  Sheridan  : 

HALLECK  to  SHERIDAN,  Nov.  26 :  4t  It  seems  to  me  that  before  any  cavalry 
is  sent  away,  Mosby's  band  should  be  broken  up,  as  hejs  continually  threaten 
ing  our  lines." 

"SHERIDAN  to  HALLECK,  Nov.  26:  "I  will  soon  commence  work  on 
Mosby.  Heretofore  I  have  made  no  attempt  to  break  him  up,  as  I  would  have 
employed  ten  men  to  his  one,  and  for  the  reason  that  I  have  made  a  scape-goat 
of  him  for  the  destruction  of  private  rights.  Now  there  is  going  to  be  an  in 
tense  hatred  of  him  in  that  portion  of  this  Valley,  which  is  nearly  a  desert. 
I  will  soon  commence  on  Loudoun  County,  and  let  them  know  there  is  a  God 
in  Israel.  Mosby  has  annoyed  me  considerably,  but  the  people  are  beginning 
to  see  that  he  does  not  injure  me  a  great  deal,  but  causes  a  loss  to  them  of  all 
they  have  spent  their  lives  in  accumulating.  Those  people  who  live  in  the 
vicinity  of  Harper's  Ferry  are  the  most  villainous  in  this  Valley,  and  have  not 
yet  been  hurt  much.  If  the  railroad  is  interfered  with,  I  will  make  some  of 
them  poor.  Those  who  live  at  home,  in  peace  and  plenty,  want  the  duello  part 
of  this  war  to  go  on  ;  but  when  they  have  to  bear  their  burden  by  loss  of  prop 
erty  and  comforts,  they  will  cry  for  peace." 

In  his  determination  to  rid  himself  of  his  troublesome  enemy,  Sheridan  is- 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  319 

From  Monday  afternoon,  November  28th,  until  Friday 
morning,  December  2d,  they  ranged  through  the  beautiful 
Valley  of  Loudoun  and  a  portion  of  Fauquier  County,  burn- 
sued  these  orders  to  Major-General  Merritt,  commanding  First  Cavalry  Divi 
sion,  under  date  of  Nov.  27th  : 

"You  are  hereby  directed  to  proceed  to-morrow  morning  at  7  o'clock  with 
the  two  brigades  of  your  Division  now  in  camp  to  the  east  side  of  the  Blue 
Ridge,  via  Ashby's  Gap,  and  operate  against  the  guerrillas  in  the  district  of 
country  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  line  of  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad  as  far 
east  as  White  Plains,  on  the  east  by  the  Bull  Run  range,  on  the  west  by  the 
Shenandoah  River,  and  on  the  north  by  the  Potomac.  This  section  has  been 
the  hot-bed  of  lawless  bands,  who  have,  from  time  to  time,  depredated  upon 
small  parties  on  the  line  of  army  communications,  on  safe-guards  left  at  houses, 
and  on  all  small  parties  of  our  troops.  Their  real  object  is  plunder  and  high 
way  robbery.  To  clear  the  country  of  these  parties  that  are  bringing  destruc 
tion  upon  the  innocent  as  well  as  their  guilty  supporters  by  their  cowardly 
acts,  you  will  consume  and  destroy  all  forage  and  subsistence,  burn  all  barns 
and  mills  and  their  contents,  and  drive  off  all  stock  in  the  region  the  bounda 
ries  of  which  are  above  described.  This  order  must  be  literally  executed,  bearing 
in  mind,  however,  that  no  dwellings  are  to  be  burned  and  that  no  personal  vio 
lence  be  offered  to  the  citizens.  The  ultimate  results  of  the  guerrilla  system  of 
warfare  is  the  total  destruction  of  all  private  rights  in  the  country  occupied  by 
such  parties.  This  destruction  may  as  well  commence  at  once,  and  the  respon 
sibility  of  it  must  rest  upon  the  authorities  at  Richmond,  who  have  acknowl 
edged  the  legitimacy  of  guerrilla  bands.  The  injury  done  this  army  by  them  is 
very  slight.  The  injury  they  have  indirectly  inflicted  upon  the  people  and  upon 
the  rebel  army,  may  be  counted  by  millions.  The  Reserve  Brigade  of  your 
division  will  move  to  Snickersville  on  the  2gth.  Snickersville  should  be  your  point 
of  concentration,  and  the  point  from  which  you  should  operate  in  destroying 
toward  the  Potomac.  Four  days'  subsistence  will  be  taken  by  the  command. 
Forage  can  be  gathered  from  the  country  through  which  you  pass.  You  will 
return  to  your  present  camp,  via  Snicker's  Gap,  on  the  fifth  day." 

In  addition  to  Merritt's  three  brigades,  Colonel  Stagg  was  ordered  to  send 
out  4  regiments  : 

DANA  to  STAGG,  Nov.  28  :  "You  will  detail  two  regiments  to  march  to-mor 
row  morning  at  daylight,  one  on  the  crest  of  the  mountains,  the  other  along  the 
foot,  to  Paris.  These  regiments  will,  when  practicable,  keep  up  communication 
with  each  other  by  a  line  of  mounted  men,  who  will  pay  particular  attention  to 
securing  the  stock  which  is  said  to  be  secreted  on  the  mountains.  Both  regi 
ments  will  carry  out  previous  orders  in  regard  to  destroying,  etc.  Send  two 
other  regiments  at  the  same  time  to  Millville,  and,  if  possible,  to  Middleburg, 
for  the  purpose  of  completing  unfinished  work  in  that  country,  as  well  as  to  de 
stroy  a  quantity  of  rebel  government  pork  said  to  be  secreted  at  or  near  Mill 
ville.  The  commanding  officers  of  these  regiments  will  use  their  best  endeav 
ors  to  discover  any  work  remaining  unfinished  and  give  the  finishing  stroke. 
All  four  regiments  will  concentrate  near  Philomont  in  the  afternoon,  and  by 
patrols  and  pickets  watch  the  mouth  of  Loudoun  Valley  along  the  pike  from 
this  place  to  Middleburg,  securing  all  stock  left  behind  and  any  that  is  being 
driven  away,  before  the  return  march  of  General  Devin.  They  will  remain  on 
this  duty  until  the  return  of  General  Devin,  provided  he  returns  by  4  p.  m.;  if 
not,  they  will  march  to  camp.  Let  them  use  every  exertion  to  kill  or  capture 
any  guerrillas  that  may  be  seen,  by  decoying  them  into  ambush  or  in  some 
other  way." 

Stevenson,  in  order  that  no  loop-hole  for  escape  should  be  left,  and  anxious 
to  lend  a  helping  hand,  wrote  Sheridan,  Nov.  28  : 

"  Mosby  is  lying  with  his  command  to-night  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hamil- 


320  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

ing  and  laying  waste.  They  robbed  the  people  of  everything 
they  could  destroy  or  carry  off — horses,  cows,  cattle,  sheep, 
hogs,  etc. ;  killing  poultry,  insulting  women,  pillaging 
houses,  and  in  many  cases  robbing  even  the  poor  negroes. 

ton,  and  between  there  and  Waterford.  If  Snicker's  Gap  could  be  occupied,  I 
will  send  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  to  Gregory's  Gap  and  Hillsborough 
crossing,  and  hold  Keyes'  Gap  with  infantry,  so  that  Merritt  might  use  up  the 
concern.  Their  only  chance  of  escape  would  be  by  Leesburg.  Of  course, 
Merritt  should  be  notified.  If  this  programme  suits  you,  I  will  carry  it  out. 
My  information  in  regard  to  Mosby's  command  is  reliable." 

SHERIDAN  to  STEVENSON,  in  reply  : 

"Snicker's  Gap  will  be  occupied  early  to-morrow  morning,  and  Merritt  will 
be  notified  to-night.  Go  on  with  your  programme/' 

Stevenson  thereupon  issued  the  following  orders  to  Colonel  Pierce  of  the 
Twelfth  Pennsylvania  and  Colonel  Peale  of  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut  : 

"  Colonel  Pierce  will  move  promptly  at  4  o'clock  to-morrow  morning  with  his 
regiment,  every  man  with  60  rounds  of  ammunition,  two  days'  rations  and  for 
age,  so  as  to  occupy  Gregory's  Gap  and  the  Hillsborough  crossing  of  the  Blue 
Ridge  by  daylight  to-morrow  morning.  Send  out  pickets  along  the  top  of  the 
mountain  to  cover  the  mountain  paths  ;  cross  Shenandoah  River  at  Kabletown. 
This  part  of  a  combined  movement  must  not  fail.  Snicker's  Gap  and  Keyes' 
Gap  will  be  occupied  by  other  troops.  There  will  be  a  grand  drive  for  Mosby 
on  east  side  of  ridge,  and  he  must  not  be  permitted  to  escape  by  either  Greg 
ory's  Gap  or  Hillsborough  road  crossing.  Connect  your  command  with  pick 
ets  along  the  top  of  the  mountain  from  Gregory's  Gap  to  Hillsborough  road. 
The  command  will  remain  at  these  gaps  until  Thursday  morning  unless  ordered 
to  return  to  camp  sooner.  A  proper  camp  guard  will  be  left  in  the  camp  at 
Charlestown. 

Colonel  Peale  will  move  at  daylight  to-morrow  morning  promptly,  with  350 
men  of  his  command,  to  Harper's  Ferry,  each  man  to  have  40  rounds  of  ammu 
nition  and  two  days'  rations,  leaving  the  balance  of  his  command  as  camp 
guard.  These  men  are  to  be  used  as  part  of  a  combined  movement  to  catch 
Mosby,  and  therefore  there  must  be  no  failure  to  be  on  prompt  time." 

This  formidable  array  was  still  thought  insufficient  to  drive  out  the  little 
band  of  "  Mosby's  Men,"  and  General  Augur  ordered  Colonel  Gamble  to  send 
800  cavalry  to  unite  with  Merritt : 

AUGUR  to  TAYLOR,  Nov.  29  :  "  Direct  Gamble  to  send  800  cavalry,  under 
Sweitzer,  to  report  to  General  Merritt,  near  Snickersville,  with  5  days'  rations 
and  as  much  forage  as  is  necessary.  They  must  procure  corn  from  the  country. 
They  should  leave  to-morrow  morning  and  by  the  route  indicated  in  General 
Sheridan's  dispatch." 

Yet  this  "combined  movement,"  powerful  as  it  was,  did  not  drive  out 
Mosby  and  his  men,  who  continued  to  occupy  the  same  ground  until  after  the 
surrender  of  General  Lee.  

Report    of   Brevet    Major- General    Wesley  Merritt,  commanding  First    Cavalry 

Division. 
HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

December  6,  1864. 
Major  WILLIAM  RUSSELL,  JR., 

Asst.  Adjt.-Gen.,  Hdqrs.  Cavalry,  Middle  Military  Division. 
MAJOR  :     In  compliance  with  instructions  received  direct  from  army  head 
quarters,  I  marched  with  the  division,  via  Ashby's  Gap,  to  the  east  of  the  Blue 


MOSBV'S    RANGERS. 


They  burned  all  the  mills  and  factories,  as  well  as  hay, 
wheat,  corn,  straw  and  every  description  of  forage.  Barns 
and  stables,  whether  full  or  empty,  were  burned.  At  Mrs. 
Fletcher's  (a  widow),  where  the  hogs  had  been  killed  for  her 

Ridge,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  all  mills,  barns,  forage,  driving  off  stock, 
and  capturing  and  dispersing  the  guerrilla  bands  in  a  district  of  country  de 
scribed  in  orders.  After  passing  through  Ashby's  Gap,  two  regiments  of  the 
Second  Brigade  were  ordered  to  move  to  the  north,  along  the  foot  of  the  moun 
tains,  spreading  out  well  over  the  country  toward  Bloomfield,  carrying  out  the 
orders,  while  a  regiment  of 
the  First  Brigade,  for  the 
same  purpose,  was  sent,  via 
Grigsby's  store,  to  the  west  of 
Piedmont.  These  regiments 
were  ordered  to  meet  the 
division  the  same  evening 
near  Upperville,  where  it  en 
camped  on  the  night  of  the 
28th  of  November. 

The  following  morning  the 
First  Brigade  was  ordered  to 
march  to  Rectortown,  whence 
it  was  ordered  to  send  out 
strong  columns  to  Salem  and 
White  Plains,  and,  marching 
across  the  country,  collect  its 
strength  at  Middleburg,  the 
forces  from  White  Plains  and 
Salem  to  pursue  separate 
routes  to  that  place.  From 
Middleburg  the  entire  force 
was  to  move  to  Philomont, 
and  thence  to  Snickersville, 
keeping  out  strong  flanking 

columns  on  the  right  toward  Millville  and  to  the  left  through  Bloomfield,  to 
the  foot  of  the  mountains.  In  this  manner  the  country  as  far  north  as  the 
Little  River  turnpike  was  thoroughly  swept  over  and  destroyed  by  the  evening 
of  the  second  day. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day  the  Second  Brigade  was  ordered  to 
march  via  Philomont,  Circleville,  Hamilton,  Waterford,  and  along  the  Catoc- 
tin  Creek  to  the  Potomac,  and  meeting,  at  Lovettsville,  a  force  of  the  Reserve 
Brigade  which  was  ordered  to  move  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  and  between  the 
ridge  and  Short  Mountain  to  the  Potomac,  both  columns  to  return  along  the 
pike  from  Lovettsville  through  Hillsborough  and  Purcellville.  Both  these  com 
mands  reached  Snickersville  on  the  evening  of  the  fourth  day.  On  the  third 
day  a  force  of  the  Reserve  Brigade  was  ordered  to  march  down  the  Shenan- 
doah,  between  that  stream  and  the  Blue  Ridge.  This  force  went  a1:  far  down 


MAJ.-GEN.  H.  W.   HALLECK,  U.  S.  A. 


322  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

winter's  supply  of  meat,  the  soldiers  made  a  pile  of  rails 
upon  which  the  hogs  were  placed  and  burned.  They  even 
went  to  the  Poor  House  and  burned  and  destroyed  the  sup 
plies  provided  for  the  helpless  and  dependent  paupers.  On 
various  previous  occasions,  however,  the  Alms  House  had 
been  visited  by  raiding  parties,  so  that  at  this  time  there  was 
but  little  left,  but  of  that  little  the  larger  portion  was  taken. 
Colonel  Mosby  did  not  call  the  command  together,  there 
fore  there  was  no  organized  resistance,  but  Rangers  man 
aged  to  save  a  great  deal  of  live  stock  for  the  farmers  by 
driving  it  off  to  places  of  safety.  In  many  instances,  after 
the  first  day  of  the  burning,  we  would  run  off  stock  from 


the  river  as  Rock  Ford.  The  First  Brigade  marched  on  the  third  day,  with  its 
collected  cattle,  to  Snickersville,  from  Philomont  sending  out  parties  to  com 
plete  the  work  of  destruction. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fourth  day,  four  regiments  of  the  First  Brigade  were 
detached,  two  in  the  direction  of  Millville  and  Middleburg,  to  complete  any  un 
finished  work  in  that  country,  and  the  other  two  to  move,  one  on  the  crest  of 
the  mountains  and  the  other  along  the  foot,  keeping  up  connection,  when  pos 
sible,  by  a  line  of  mounted  men  and  marching  as  far  as  Ashby's  Gap.  These 
regiments  were  ordered  to  return  across  the  country  to  the  pike  near  Philo 
mont,  and  watch  the  mouth  of  the  valley  until  the  return  of  the  columns  from 
the  Potomac,  making  dispositions  to  capture  or  destroy  any  guerrillas  who 
might  be  moving  in  advance  of  these  columns. 

In  all  these  movements  the  orders  from  army  headquarters  were  most  fully 
carried  out  ;  the  country  on  every  side  of  the  general  line  of  march  was  in 
every  instance  swept  over  by  flankers  from  the  columns,  and  in  this  way  the 
entire  valley  was  gone  over.  The  guerrillas  were  exceedingly  careful  to  avoid 
any  encounter  with  any  of  the  parties,  even  the  smallest,  that  were  out  on  this 
duty.  Efforts  were  made  to  run  them  down  or  capture  them  by  stratagem,  but 
these  in  most  instances  failed.  The  sides  of  the  mountain  bordering  Loudoun 
Valley  are  practicable  throughout  their  entire  extent  for  horsemen,  and  the 
guerrillas,  being  few  in  numbers,  mounted  on  fleet  horses  and  thoroughly 
conversant  with  the  country,  had  every  advantage  of  my  men. 

I  transmit  herewith  reports  of  brigade  commanders,  as  also  tabular  state 
ments  of  the  destruction  done  and  cattle  driven  off.  Large  numbers  of  the 
cattle  were  destroyed  or  consumed.  Most  of  the  fatted  hogs  were  destroyed  on 
the  march  to  camp.  W.  MERRITT,  Brevet  Maj. -Gen.  Comdg. 


Report  of  Lieut. -Col.  Casper  Crownin shield,  commanding  Reserve  Brigade. 
Pursuant  to  instructions  received  from  the  brevet  major-general  commanding 
the  Cavalry  Corps  to  move  my  brigade  to  Snickersville  and  communicate  with 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


323 


the  path  of  the  raiders  into  the  limits  of  the  district  already 
burned  over,  and  there  it  was  kept  undisturbed  or  in  a  situa 
tion  where  it  could  be  more  easily  driven  off  and  concealed. 
We  also  annoyed  the  raiders  considerably  by  hovering 
around  them  in  small  squads  and  suddenly  dashing  in  among 
them,  whenever  an  opportunity  offered,  shooting  on  all 


Brevet  Major-General  Merritt,  I 
broke  camp  at  Stephenson's  De 
pot  on  the  29th  of  November  at  3 
a.  m.  and  marched  to  Snickers- 
ville.  Leaving  the  Sixth  U.  S. 
Cavalry  and  30  men  of  the  Sec 
ond  Massachusetts  Cavalry  to 
hold  the  gap,  I  marched  to  Bloom- 
field,  expecting  to  meet  Brevet 
Major  General  Merritt  near  that 
point.  At  Bloomfield  my  ad 
vance  guard  was  fired  apon  by 
some  of  Mosby's  men,  and  2  of 
the  First  U.  S.  Cavalry  were 
slightly  wounded.  Here  I  learned 
that  our  cavalry  had  moved  to 
ward  Union.  I  followed  on  to 
Union,  thence  to  Philomont,  and 
finally  joined  Brevet  Major- 
General  Merritt  at  Snickersville, 
where  the  brigade  encamped 
that  night,  picketing  the  gap,  the 
mountain  road,  the  Bloomfield 
road,  and  to  the  left  as  far  as 
the  Snickersville  and  Aldie  pike. 
3Oth;  the  Second  Massachusetts 
and  Second  U.  S.  Cavalry  were 
sent  through  Wood  Grove  and 
Hillsborough  to  Cave  Head,  on 
the  Potomac,  and  thence  along 

the  river  road  to  Lovettsville,  destroying  all  grain,  forage,  mills,  distilleries, 
etc.,  and  driving  in  all  stock  in  that  part  of  the  country  ;  at  Lovettsville  they 
joined  Brevet  Brigadier-General  Devin's  brigade.  The  Sixth  U.S.  Cavalry  was 
sent  upon  the  west  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  between  the  ridge  and  the  river, 
going  as  far  as  Rockford,  and  returning  at  night  to  Snicker's  Gap,  where  they 
remained.  The  balance  of  the  brigade  remained  in  camp  and  guarded  the  herds 
which  had  thus  far  been  driven  in. 

December  i,   the  First  andSixth  U.   S.   Cavalry  drove  the  herds  across  the 
river  and  went    into   camp   near   the    river.     The    Second    U.   S.   and  Second 


BVT.  BRIG.-GEN.  THOMAS  C.  DEVIN, 
U.  S.  A. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 


324  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

sides  and  then  scampering-  off.  In  this  way  quite  a  number 
were  killed  and  wounded. 

Welt  Hatcher,  seeing  an  officer  riding  along  in  the  midst 
of  his  men,  thought  he  was  General  Custer,  and  riding  up, 
fired,  mortally  wounding  him.  The  officer's  men  pressed  a 
carriage  into  service  and  took  him  to  the  Pot  House,  where  he 
died.  After  shooting,  Hatcher  escaped  uninjured,  although 
fired  upon  from  all  along  the  line. 

Massachusetts  returned  to  Snickersville  and  went  into  camp.  2d,  the  Second 
U.  S.  and  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry  rejoined  the  brigade.  One  regiment  of 
the  brigade  assisted  in  driving  the  herds  and  the  balance  of  the  brigade 
marched  in  the  rear  of  the  division.  The  brigade  went  into  camp  with  the 
division  near  Stone  Chapel  and  picketed  the  country  in  its  front,  connecting 
on  the  left  with  General  Devin's  and  on  the  right  with  Colonel  Stagg's  pickets. 
During  the  march  one  of  the  First  U.  S.  Cavalry,  who  had  straggled  from  the 
column,  was  killed  by  a  bushwhacker  near  Berryville.  3d,  marched  in  the 
same  order  as  yesterday  and  went  into  camp  near  Kernstown. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

December,  1864 — Fight  with  a  Detachment  of  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  near  Millwood — Death 
of  Captain  Miles— Mosby  Returns  from  Richmond  a  Full  Colonel — William  H.  Chapman 
now  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  A.  E.  Richards,  Major — Underwood  Operating  in  Fairfax  — 
Mosby  again  Wounded — Left  by  the  Federals,  who  Supposed  his  Wounds  Mortal,  he  is 
Carried  off  to  a  Place  of  Safety— Federal  Report  of  the  Affair— Raiders  Searching  for 
Mosby— Close  of  the  Year  1864. 

In  December,  1864,  Col.  Mosby  went  to  Richmond  to 
confer  with  the  authorities  about  the  organization  of  his 
battalion,  leaving-  Capt.  Wm.  H.  Chapman  in  command. 
The  portion  of  the  Federal  army  in  and  around  Winches 
ter  sent  daily  a  scouting  party  of  about  100  men  to  the 
Shenandoah  River.  Sometimes  they  would  come  by  way  of 
Millwood  and  return  by  way  of  Whitepost  or  vice  versa. 

Capt.  Chapman  determined  to  undertake  the  capture  of 
this  scouting  psrtv.  He  assembled,  late  on  Dec  i6th,  about 
1 30  of  his  men  and  camped  tor  the  night  on  the  side  of  the 
Blue  Ridge  Mountain.  Next  morning  he  crossed  the  river, 
where  he  divided  his  men,  sending  one  half  of  them  under 
Capt.  Richards  to  watch  the  Millwood  road,  a-nd  with  the 
remainder  he  took  his  position  near  the  Whitepost  oad. 
His  plan  was  to  let  the  e^emy  pass  them,  no  matter  by 
which  road  they  approached,  and  then  charge  them  simul 
taneously  in  front  and  rear.  Capt.  Richards  concealed  his 
men  in  a  wooded  ravine  about  a  half  mile  from  Berry's 
Ferry  on  the  road  to  Millwood. 

During  the  forenoon  a  detachment  of  about  100  men  from 
the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  under  Capt.  W.  H. 
Miles,  approached  by  way  of  the  Millwood  Turnpike.  Hav 
ing  been  informed  that  Mosby's  Men  had  been  seen  in  the 
vicinity,  Capt.  Miles  advanced  cautiously  with  a  large  ad 
vance  guard  and  flankers  thrown  well  out  on  either  side  of 
the  road.  Although  Richards  had  his  men  fully  three  hun 
dred  yards  from  the  road,  these  flankers  saw  his  vedettes 
and  started  to  give  the  alarm.  Richards  immediately  or 
dered  a  charge,  and  his  men  dashed  out — part  of  them 

325 


326  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

turning  towards  the  advance  guard,  and  part  towards  the 
main  body  of  the  enemy.  Capt.  Miles  was  riding  with  his 
advance  guard  The  Captain  made  a  gallant  fight  but 
fell  mortally  wounded.  The  entire  advance  guard  of  about 
20  men  was  either  killed,  wounded  or  captured. 

The  main  body  of  the  Federals  had  not  passed  when 
Richards  made  his  attack,  which  prevented  carrying  out 
Capt.  Chapman's  plan.  After  the  shock  of  the  first  on 
slaught,  this  main  body  gave  way  slowly  at  first  but  soon 
the  rout  was  complete,  the  enemy  fleeing  on  the  road 
toward  Millwood.  They  were  closely  pursued  by  the 
Confederates,  who  used  their  pistols  upon  them  at  short 
range.  One  hand-to-hand  encounter  occurred  between 
Robert  Walker  and  a  Federal  soldier,  in  which  Walker 
was  victorious.  The  pursuit  was  continued  through  the 
village  of  Millwood,  when  it  was  stopped  by  order  of 
Capt.  Richards  in  person.  He  took  his  men  back,  gather 
ing  up  the  prisoners  and  horses  of  the  Federals.  When 
near  Berry's  Ferry  he  met  Capt.  Chapman  with  the  other 
division  of  the  command,  who,  having  heard  the  firing, 
hastened  to  the  scene  but  was  too  late  to  participate  in  the 
fight.  Richards  explained  why  he  had  not  been  able  to 
carry  out  his  instructions  Capt.  Chapman  was  dis 
appointed  at  the  failure  of  his  plan,  but  was  satisfied  when 
he  learned  of  the  result.  Richards  had  not  lost  a  man, 
while  26  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  54  taken  prisoners  and 
about  80  horses  captured. 

The  success  of  the  engagement  was  due  largely  to  the 
skill  and  gallantry  of  Lieut.  John  S.  Russell,  who  led  that 
portion  of  the  men  making  the  first  charge  upon  the  main 
body  of  Federals. 


1  Gen.  TIBBITS  to  Major  RUSSELL  :  "  The  party  sent  to  Millwood  have  just 
returned,  having  gone  to  the  river  at  Berry's  Ferry.  The  patrol  under  Captain 
Miles  was  attacked  by  about  300  men — 2  companies  of  Mosby's  command  and 
a  detachment  from  McCausland's  command.  Captain  Miles  was  killed,  I  lieu 
tenant  wounded,  and  I  lieutenant  captured.  Our  loss  besides  was  10  killed, 
17  wounded,  with  20  prisoners.  The  enemy  immediately  after  making  the  at 
tack,  recrossed  the  river  and  could  not  be  overtaken.  The  citizens  report  that 
only  20  men  were  taken  across  the  river  as  prisoners." 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


327 


A  few  days  after  this,  Mosby,  who  had  been  on  a  visit  to 
Richmond,  returned  to  the  command,  wearing  three  stars 
on  his  collar,  showing-  that  he  was  now  a  full  colonel.  Capt. 
William  Chapman  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  Capt.  A.  E.  Richards  to  that  of  Major.  This 
was  in  accordance  with  the  following  recommendation  of 
Colonel  Mosby : 

December  6,  186 '4. 
Hon.  JAMES  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary  of  War  : 

SIR:  I  beg  leave  to  recommend,  in  order  to  secure  greater 
efficiency  in  my  command, 
that  it  be  divided  into  two  bat 
talions,  each  to  be  command 
ed  by  a  major.  The  scope  of 
duties  devolving  upon  me 
being  of  a  much  wider  extent 
than  on  officers  of  the  same 
rank  in  the  regular  service, 
but  small  time  is  allowed  me 
to  attend  to  the  details  of  or 
ganization,  discipline,  etc.  I 
am  confident  that  the  ar 
rangement  I  propose  would 
give  me  much  more  time, 
both  for  planning  and  execut 
ing  enterprises  against  the 
enemy.  I  would  recommend 
Capt.  William  H.  Chapman 
(commanding  Company  C, 
Forty-third  Virgina  Partizan 
Rangers  Battalion)  and  Capt. 
Adolphus  E.  Richards,  com 
manding  Company  B,  same 
battalion,  for  the  command 
of  the  two  battalions  pro 
posed.  They  have  both  on 
many  occasions  been  distin 
guished  for  valor  and  skill, 
to  which  my  reports  bear 
witness,  especially  so  in  en 
gagements  with  the  enemy  at  Dranesville,  Aldie,  Charles- 
town  and  Newtown. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY,  Lieut. -Colonel. 


LIEUT.-COL.  WILLIAM  H.  CHAPMAN, 
43d  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry  (Mosby's 

Rangers). 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


328  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

After  the  promotion  of  Richards,  Robert  S.  Walker  was 
selected  for  the  post  of  Captain  in  Co.  B — a  well-merited 
tribute  to  his  gallant  record. 

On  the  iQth  of  December,  Bush.  Underwood,  while  scout 
ing  in  Fairfax  with  a  detachment  of  about  20  men,  saw  an 
ambulance  and  two  wagons  with  an  escort  equal  in  numbers 
to  his  own  force,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Vienna.  Un 
derwood  instructed  O.  S.  Newcomb  to  charge  the  rear  of 
the  escort  with  a  portion  of  the  men,  while  he  attacked  them 
in  front  with  the  remainder.  The  men,  with  the  exception 
of  2  or  3,  misunderstanding  the  order,  followed  Newcomb, 
leaving  Underwood  to  fight  with  his  few  comrades.  With 
out  hesitation  Underwood  boldly  charged,  driving  back  the 
escort.  Before  recovering  from  their  surprise  they  were 
attacked  in  the  rear  by  Newcomb  and  routed.  Three  men 
and  7  horses  were  captured  and  3  or  4  of  the  guards 
wounded.  None  of  Underwood's  party  was  injured.  In 
the  ambulance  was  Colonel  Sweitzer  and  Captain  Gaylord, 
of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  both  of  whom  escaped 
by  jumping  from  the  ambulance  and  running  off  through 
the  pines,  leaving  their  effects  behind.2 

On  the  2  ist  of  December,  while  Col.  Mosby  was  at  the  house 
of  Joseph  Blackwell,  in  Fauquier,  attending  the  wedding  of 
J.  Lavender,  our  ordnance  sergeant,  word  was  brought  that 
a  body  of  Federal  cavalry  was  advancing  on  the  Salem 
road,  a  few  miles  distant.  Without  interrupting  the  wed- 

2  Colonel  WELLS  to  TAYLOR,  Dec.  19  :  "I  have  just  received  a  telegram 
from  the  provost-marshal  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  stating  that  30  rebels  at 
tacked  an  ambulance  containing  Colonel  Sweitzer,  Sixteenth  New  York  Cav 
alry,  and  Captain  Gaylord,  same  regiment  ;  wounding  I  man  of  the  escort 
and  capturing  I  wagon  and  7  horses.  Colonel  Sweitzer  and  Captain  Gay- 
lord  escaped.  The  affair  occurred  i^  miles  from  Vienna.  Our  men  are  in  hot 
pursuit.  Result  as  yet  unknown.  The  provost-marshal  at  Vienna  reports  that 
it  is  reported  that  Colonel  Schweitzer  has  been  recaptured." 

GAMBLE  to  RAYMOND,  Dec.  20  :  "  Your  telegram  received.  Colonel  Sweit 
zer  is  safe.  I  have  just  received  his  report  of  the  affair,  which  will  be  for 
warded  the  first  opportunity.  He  had  3  men  wounded  and  3  horses  captured 
of  his  escort.  His  regiment  turned  out  and  scoured  the  country  to  Aldie. 
The  cavalry  ordered  from  your  headquarters  last  night  will  leave  here  in  an 
hour,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clendenin,  for  the  Loudoun  Valley." 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


329 


ding  feast,  Mosby,  with  Thomas  Love,  rode  out  to  recon 
noitre.  He  came  up  with  the  Federals  on  the  road  to  Rec- 
tortown,  and  seeing  them  building  fires,  concluded  that  they 
were  going  into  camp.  Instead  of  doing  so,  they  had  only 
halted  to  warm  themselves  and  to  rest.  Sending  a  man  to 
notify  Chapman  and  Richards  to  get  their  men  together  so 
as  to  be  ready  to  attack 
them  in  the  morning,  he 
started  off  with  Love  to 
make  arrangements  for  the 
morrow. 

As  they  were  passing  the 
house  of  Ludwell  Lake, 
Mosby  concluded  to  stop 
and  get  supper.  Leaving 
their  horses  tied  at  the 
front  gate,  they  entered 
and  were  soon  seated  at 
table,  enjoying  a  cup  of 
coffee  and  a  warm  supper. 
In  the  room  with  Mosby 
was  Mr.  Lake  and  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Skinner. 

Hearing  the  tramp  of 
horses  around  the  house, 
Mosby  opened  the  door 
leading  to  the  back  yard 
and  saw  there  a  number 
of  cavalrymen.  He  hastily 
closed  the  door  and  turned 
to  the  other  door,  which 

then  opened  and  a  party  of  Federal  officers  and  soldiers 
entered.  Mosby 's  hat,  overcoat  and  cape  were  lying  in  a 
corner  of  the  room.  As  the  soldiers  entered,  he  put  up  his 
hands  to  his  coat  collar  to  hide  the  stars,  the  emblem  of  his 
rank,  as  he  knew  his  chances  of  escape  would  be  better  if  he 
could  conceal  his  identity. 

Just  then  shots  were  fired  from  the  back  yard,  and  a  ball 


MAJOR  A.  E.  RICHARDS, 
43d  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry  (Mosby's 

Rangers). 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


330 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


passing  through  the  window,  struck  him  in  the  stomach. 
"  I  am  shot !  "  exclaimed  Mosby.  As  the  firing  was  contin 
ued,  the  Federal  officers  and  soldiers  hurried  out  of  the 
room  to  escape  being  shot  by  their  own  men,  leaving  Mosby 
in  the  room  with  Love,  Lake  and  his  daughter.  He  was 
faint,  and  was  bleeding  profusely  from  his  wound,  but 
stepping  from  the  dining  room  into  an  adjoining  bedroom, 
he  pulled  off  his  coat  with  the  tell-tale  stars,  and  hiding 
it  under  a  bureau,  fell  on  the  floor  as  if  dead. 

In  a  few  moments  the  officers  returned  and  struck  a  light. 
They  asked  Mrs.  Skinner  who  he  w^as.  She  replied  that  he 

Avas  a  stranger  to  her.  They  then 
asked  Mosby  his  name.  He  gasped 
a  few  words,  saying  he  was  Lieuten 
ant  Johnson  of  the  Sixth  Virginia. 
They  opened  his  pants,  pulled  up 
his  shirt,  which  was  saturated  with 
blood,  and  the  doctor  examined  the 
wound,  pronouncing  it  mortal.  They 
then  stripped  him  of  his  boots  and 
pants  and  left  the  room. 

When    Mosby   felt   satisfied    that 
they  had   all   left,    he    got    up   and 
walked  into  the  room   where   Lake 
and   his   daughter   were   sitting   by 
the  fire,  to  their  great  astonishment, 
for    they  supposed   him   dead.     In 
deed  Mosby  himself  at  the  time  thought  his  wound  mortal. 
The  bullet  was  in  him  and  he  thought  his  intestines  were 
cut. 

When  Mr.  Lake  regained  sufficient  composure  to  realize 
the  situation,  he  called  a  couple  of  negro  boys  to  get  up  an 
ox-cart  and  a  pair  of  oxen,  to  remove  Mosby  to  a  place  of 
safety,  in  case  the  enemy  should  return.  He  was  rolled  up 
in  blankets  and  carried  to  the  house  of  widow  Glascock. 

A  courier  was  sent  to  carry  the  news  to  the  wedding  party 
at  Blackwell's,  and  soon  a  number  of  the  men  and  two  doctors 
came  over.  At  Glascock's  Mosby  found  George  Slater, 


COL.  NELSON  B.  SWEITZER 
1 6th  New  York  Cavalry. 
From  a  War-time  Picture. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  331 

one  of  our  men,  and  knowing  that  he  was  present  when 
General  Stuart  was  shot,  Mosby  said :  "  George,  look  at 
my  wound  ;  I  think  I  am  shot  just  like  Stuart."  Slater 
pulled  up  Mosby 's  shirt  and  examined  the  wound.  He  said 
he  thought  the  ball  had  passed  around  from  left  to  right, 
which  was  so.  It  lodged  in  the  right  side,  and  was  extracted 
in  the  morning.  Major  Richards  sent  out  couriers  and  or 
dered  the  men  to  meet  in  the  morning  at  Chappalear's. 
Pickets  were  placed  on  all  the  roads ,  and  at  the  door  of 
the  house  where  Mosby  lay  wounded,  an  ambulance  stood, 
day  and  night,  with  mules  harnessed,  ready  to  be  driven  off 
at  a  moment's  warning.  In  about  a  week  he  was  removed  to 
his  father's,  near  Lynchburg. 

The  cavalrymen  Mosby  had  observed  and  followed  the 
night  before  were  detachments  of  the  Thirteenth  and  Six 
teenth  New  York,  under  command  of  Major  Frazar. 

Adjutant  Wm.  H.  Mosby,  with  Sergeant  H.  M.  Mcll- 
hany,  John  H.  Foster,  and  four  others,  learning  that  the 
Federal  cavalry  were  in  the  neighborhood,  started  out  to 
harrass  them  on  their  march.  They  came  up  with  them  at 
the  railroad  crossing  near  Salem,  and  Adjutant  Mosby,  see 
ing  the  force  was  so  large,  gave  orders  to  fall  back.  In 
doing  so,  Willie  Cocke,  a  youth  of  about  17,  was  thrown 
from  his  horse.  Thinking  the  boy  would  be  killed,  Sergeant 
Mcllhany  gave  him  his  left  arm  and  stirrup  and  finally  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  him  up  behind  him,  in  the  meanwhile  firing 
on  the  charging  squadron  and  endeavoring  to  reach  cover 
in  Bishop's  woods.  In  jumping  a  fence,  his  horse  fell  and 
he  and  Cocke  were  captured. 

When  the  Federals  reached  Rectortown,  two  more  of 
Mosby's  men,  Richard  Buckner  and  Robert  Parrott,  were 
added  to  the  number  of  prisoners.  The  cavalry  then  di 
rected  their  course  toward  Middleburg,  stopping  at  Lake's, 
where  Colonel  Mosby  was  wounded,  as  stated,  and  Thomas 
Love  was  taken  prisoner.  At  Col.  Hamilton  Roger's,  2£ 
miles  below  Middleburg,  they  joined  the  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  about  1 1  p.  m.  Major  Frazar  and  his  officers  gath 
ered  around  the  prisoners  at  the  camp-fire  and  exhibited 


332 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


Colonel  Mosby's  elegant  light  colored  hat  with  gilt  cord 
and  tassels,  with  one  side  turned  up  a  <d  ornamented  with  a 
star,  together  with  his  overcoat,  cape  and  boots,  and  tried 
in  vain  to  have  any  of  the  prisoners  acknowledge  that  it  be 
longed  to  Mosby.  The  Federals  professed  great  admiration 
for  him,  and  said  if  they  could  be  assured  he  was  the  wounded 
man,  they  would  send  back  their  surgeon  to  attend  him. 
The  next  morning,  when  marching  down  the  turnpike,  Col 
onel  Clendenin  sent  for  Mcllhany  and  had  him  ride  beside 
him  until  they  reached  Fairfax,  questioning  him  regarding 
the  identity  of  Mosby  and  the  condition  of  his  command,  to 
all  of  which  Mcllhany  gave  evasive  answers.3  He  then  tried 
Love,  but  with  no  better  success. 

At  Lake's  front  gate,  hitched  to  the  old-time  horse  rack, 
stood  Colonel  Mosby's  fine  sorrel,  and  Love's  bay  mare. 
Their  equipments  were  all  new  and  similar  to  those  used  by 
Federal  Officers,  hence  it  was  supposed  that  as  each  man 
rode  off  he  thought  that  there  were  two  of  his  own  party 


A 
I- 


1 


3  Mcllhany,  giving  an  account  of  his 
treatment,  says  :  "  On  arriving  at 
Fairfax  Court  House,  the  prisoners 
were  placed  in  the  old  county  jail  and 
the  next  day  sent  to  the  Old  Capitol  at 
r  Washington,  where  there  were  about 

v^^P*^  75  of  Mosby's  men  confined.    We  were 

kept  there  until  February  6,  1865,  when 
86  of  Mosby's  men  were  handcuffed  in 
pairs  and,  under  guard  of  a  lieutenant 
and  28  muskets,  marched  to  the  Balti 
more  and  Ohio  Depot  and  taken  thence 
to  Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harbor.  A 
more  enraged  set  of  men  were  never 
seen  than  these,  when  standing  on  Cap 
itol  street,  handcuffed  together.  When 
Clark,  the  superintendent  of  the  Old 
Capitol  prison  was  asked  for  a  reason 
for  such  treatment,  he  said  it  was  a 
shame,  but  believed  the  officer  was 
afraid  and  unwilling  to  start  on  the 
journey  unless  they  were  handcuffed. 

One  of  the  hardships  at  the  Old  Capitol  was  the  quality  of  the  food,  as  well  as 
the  quantity.     The  barrels  of  beef  and  mess  pork  were  branded  'I.  C./  which 


SERGT.  H.  M.  McILHANY,  CO.  F. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


333 


behind,  owners  of  the  horses,  for  they  remained  undisturbed 
after  the  cavalry  had  all  left. 

When  the  Federals  discovered  that  it  was  Mosby  whom 
they  had  let  slip  through  their  hands,  they  made  every  ex 
ertion  to  discover  his  whereabouts  and  capture  him,  and 
parties  were  sent  through  the  country  in  all  directions 
searching  for  him.4 


signified  '  Inspected  and  con 
demned.'  When  we  arrived  at 
Fort  Warren,  the  officer  in  com 
mand  would  not  receive  us  until 
the  handcuffs  were  removed. 
The  treatment  and  food  at  Fort 
Warren  were  far  superior  to  that 
at  the  Old  Capitol,  though  bad 
enough.  We  were  not  released 
until  June  15,  1865." 

H.  M.  Mcllhany,  formerly 
of  Warrenton,  now  residing  at 
Staunton,  Va.,  joined  Mosby's 
command  in  1864.  He  had  been 
assistant  to  Longstreet's  chief 
quartermaster,  with  the  rank  of 
captain,  hence  the  three  bars  on 
his  collar  when  this  picture  was 
taken.  At  the  organization  of 
Company  F  he  was  elected  first 
sergeant,  but  owing  to  the  death 
of  Lieutenant  Bowie  while  on  a 
raid  in  Maryland,  he  usually  acted 
as  lieutenant,  until  his  active- 
career  was  cut  short  by  his  capt 
ure  near  Salem. 


ADJUTANT  WM.  H.  MOSBY, 

43(1  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry,  C.  S.  A. 

From  _  War-time  Photograph. 


4  GAMBLE  to  TAYLOR,  Decem 
ber  27th  :  "I  have  been  collect 
ing  from  various  sources  all  the 

information  possible  in  regard  to  Mosby  being  wounded.  The  wound 
ing  of  the  rebel  major  mentioned  in  Lieutenant- Colonel  Clendenin's 
report  occurred,  as  I  am  informed,  in  this  manner  :  Major  Frazar,  with  a 
part  of  the  Thirteenth  and  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  while  passing  a  farm 
house  in  the  vicinity  of  Middleburg,  saw  a  saddled  horse  fastened  to  a  fence 
and  went  to  the  house.  A  rebel  officer  inside  came  to  the  door  with  his  boots 
off  and  fired  his  revolver  at  our  men.  The  men,  of  course,  returned  the  fire  and 
the  officer  was  shot  in  the  body.  Major  Frazar  did  not  search  the  officer  for 


334  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

The  news  of  the  wounding  of  Colonel  Mosby  spread  rap 
idly,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  made  to  keep  it  secret,  and  it  was 

papers,  nor  inquire  who  he  was  from  the  people  in  the  house  ;  neither  did  he 
search  the  house  ;  and,  although  two  ambulances  and  a  medical  officer  were  with 
the  command,  the  wounded  rebel  officer  v,Tas  not  examined  or  brought  in  ;  all 
of  which,  in  my  opinion,  any  good,  efficient  officer  should  have  done.  I  am 
also  informed  that  Major  Frazar  was  too  much  under  the  influence  of  liquor  to 
perform  his  duty  at  that  time  in  a  proper  manner.  Whether  the  rebel  officer 
observed  to  be  shot  in  this  house  was  Mosby,  or  that  Mosby  was  in  the  same 
room  at  the  time  with  this  officer  and  wounded  by  the  fire  of  our  men  into  the 
room,  I  am  as  yet  unable  to  ascertain  with  any  degree  of  certainty,  because  I 
have  heard  so  many  conflicting  accounts  in  regard  to  it.  Under  the  circum 
stances,  I  have  deemed  it  best  to  send  Major  Frazar,  with  300  men,  to  scour 
that  neighborhood  and  ascertain  if  possible  something  definite  about  it,  he  be 
ing  the  officer  present  at  the  time  the  rebel  officer  was  shot  in  the  house  where 
it  is  supposed  Mosby  was  wounded.  I  have  considered  it  my  duty  to  report 
all  the  information  I  have  yet  been  able  to  obtain,  as  stated  before,  in  regard  to 
the  matter." 

TAYLOR  to  GAMBLE,  Dec.  27:  "The  major  of  rebels  reported  wounded 
by  Colonel  Clendenin  was  Mosby.  He  is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  place  where  he 
was  shot.  Let  the  party  now  out  endeavor  to  find  him.  The  information  is 
undoubted." 

GAMBLE  to  TAYLOR,  Dec.  27  :  "  Reports  have  been  received  from  Fairfax 
Station  and  Vienna.  All  quiet.  No  reports  from  Col.  Gansevoort  at  Prospect 
Hill,  although  I  have  repeatedly  ordered  him  to  send  his  reports  at  the  proper 
time.  The  scout  under  Capt.  Sargent,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  sent  out  last 
night,  has  returned.  He  arrived  at  Thoroughfare  Gap  two  hours  too  late,  and 
only  captured  two  prisoners,  who  escaped  in  the  darkness  by  the  negligence  of 
Lieut.  Kennedy,  Eighth  Illinois.  I  will  send  out  Major  Frazar,  Thirteenth 
New  York  Cavalry,  and  300  men,  to-morrow  at  dark,  so  as  to  make  a  night 
march  unobserved,  to  the  vicinity  of  Middleburg,  to  ascertain  about  the 
wounded  rebel  officer  mentioned  in  your  telegram  of  to-day." 

STEVENSON  to  SHERIDAN,  Dec.  29  :  "I  have  very  satisfactory  evidence  that 
Mosby  was  actually  shot  in  a  house  near  Middleburg.  He  is  not  dead,  but  se 
verely  or  mortally  wounded.  He  was  lying  in  Middleburg  arid  is  either  there 
yet  or  at  the  house  of  a  man  by  the  name  of  Joe  or  Jim  Blackwell,  about  5  miles 
from  Piedmont,  to  which  my  informant  thinks  he  has  been  removed.  The 
story  of  his  death  is  not  true,  but  given  out  to  prevent  his  capture  while 
wounded.  He  stays  at  Middleburg  at  the  house  of  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Rogers." 

SHERIDAN  to  STEVENSON,  Dec.  29  :  "  Mosby  was  shot  by  a  party  from 
Gen.  Augur's  command  at  Rector's  Cross-Roads.  There  were  2  or  3  men  in 
the  party  ;  they  fired  at  Mosby  and  some  of  his  men  through  the  windows, 
wounding  Mosby  in  the  abdomen.  He  was  then  moved  to  the  house  of  Widow 
Glascock.  Torbert  tried  to  catch  him  there,  but  he  had  been  taken  away  in  an 
ambulance.  Torbert  searched  the  house  of  Rogers,  at  Middleburg.  but  he  was 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


335 


a  source  of  much  regret  to  both  citizens  and  soldiers.  His 
wound,  though  painful,  was  not  dangerous,  although  at  first 
it  was  reported  to  be  mortal. 


not  there.  Mosby's  wound  is  mortal.  He  and  his  party  were  eating  supper 
when  the  attack  was  made  on  the  house  by  Augur's  men." 

SHERIDAN  to  EMORY,  Dec.  31  :  "  How  are  you  getting  along  ?  This  storm 
is  unfortunate.  I  have  no  news  to-day,  except  the  death  of  Mosby.  He  died 
from  his  wounds  at  Charlottesville." 

Fairfax  C.  H. ,  December  31,  1864. 

Colonel  WILLIAM  GAMBLE,  Commanding  Cavalry  Brigade  : 

COLONEL  :     In  obedience  to  your  command,  I  have  the  honor  to  report  con 
cerning  the  wounding  of  Colonel   Mosby.     He  was  shot  by  a  man  of  my  ad 
vance  guard  under  Captain    Brown,  in  Mr.  Lake's    house,   near  the  Rector's 
Cross-roads,  on  the  evening  of  the  2ist  instant,  about  9  p.  m.,  at  which  time  I 
was  in  command  of  the  Sixteenth  and  Thirteenth  New  York  regiments.     Sev 
eral  shots  were  fired,  and  I  was  informed  that  a  rebel  lieutenant  was  wounded. 
I  immediately  dismounted  and  entered  the  house  and  found  a  man  lying  on  the 
floor,     apparently    in   great   agony. 
I    asked    him    his    name — he     an 
swered,  "Lieutenant  Johnson,  Sixth 
Virginia   Cavalry."     He  was  in  his 
shirt-sleeves  —  a   light    blue    cotton 
shirt — no  hat — no  boots — no  insignia 
of  rank  ;  nothing   to   denote  in   the 
slightest   degree   that   he    was     not 
what   he    pretended   to   be.     I    told 
him   I   must  see  his  wounds  to  see 
whether    to    bring    him    or   not.     I 
opened,  myself,  his  pants  and  found 
that  a  pistol  bullet  had  entered  the 
abdomen  about  two  inches  below  and 
to  the  left  of   the  navel  ;    a  wound 
that   I   felt  assured  was  mortal.      I 
therefore  ordered  all  from  the  room, 
remarking,  "  He  will  die  in  twenty- 
four  hours."     Being  behind  time  on 
account  of  skirmishing  all  the  after 
noon  with  the  enemy,  I  hurried  on  to 
meet  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clendenin         SERGT'  ROBERT  B'  PARROTT,  CO.  F. 
at  Middleburg,  according  to  orders  From  a  War  Picture, 

received.     Nearly   every    officer    of 

my  command,  if  not  all,  saw  this  wounded  man,  and  no  one  had  the  slightest 
idea  that  it  was  Mosby.  Captain  Brown  and  Major  Birdsall  were  both  in  the 
room  with  me  when  this  occurred.  After  arrival  at  Middleburg  I  reported  the  fact 
of  having  wounded  a  rebel  lieutenant  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clendenin.  As  soon 


33 6  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

General  Torbet  had  started  from  Winchester  on  the  19th 
of  December,  with  Merritt's  and  Powell's  Divisions  of  Cav 
alry,  numbering  about  5,000  men,  and  crossed  the  Blue 
Ridge  at  Chester's  Gap,  with  the  intention  of  breaking  up 
the  Virginia  Central  Railroad  at  Gordonsville.  Without 
effecting  his  object  he  was  compelled  to  retreat  and  fall 
back  to  the  Valley. 


as  the  camp  fires  were  lit  so  that  things  could  be  seen,  an  orderly  brought  me  Mos- 
by's  hat  dressed  with  gold  cord  and  star.  I  then  immediately  knew  it  to  be  a  field 
officer.  I  took  the  hat  and  went  immediately  among  the  prisoners,  eight  in 
number,  of  Mosby's  men  that  I  had  captured,  and  told  them  the  man  who  wore 
that  cap  was  shot  dead,  and  asked  them  if  it  was  Mosby  or  not  ;  it  was  no  use 
to  conceal  it  if  it  was,  as  he  was  shot  dead.  They  all  said  "  no,"  that  it  was 
not  Mosby,  that  he  never  had  such  a  hat,  etc.,  etc.  Some  of  them  said  it  was 
Major  Johnson,  Sixth  Virginia  Cavalry,  home  on  leave.  In  the  morning  I  re 
ported  the  facts  and  showed  the  cap  to  Colonel  Clendenin  and  Mr,  Davis,  the 
guide  ;  all  this,  while  I  considered,  as  did  all  my  other  officers,  that  the  wound 
was  mortal.  From  Middleburg  I  came  to  camp.  On  this  scout,  from  which 
I  have  just  returned  to-day,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  man  shot  in 
Lake's  house  was  Colonel  Mosby.  He  was  moved  half  an  hour  after  he 
was  shot  to  Quilly  Glascock's,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  distant,  where  he  re 
mained  three  days  and  had  the  ball  extracted,  it  having  passed  around  or 
through  the  bowels,  coming  out  behind  the  right  thigh.  I  conversed  with  sev 
eral  persons  who  saw  him.  He  was  very  low  the  first  two  days,  the  third 
much  better.  I  tracked  him  to  Piedmont,  thence  to  Salem,  and  out  of  Salem 
toward  the  Warrenton  pike.  I  met  pickets  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and 
understood  that  until  within  the  last  night  or  two  they  had  extended  as  far  down 
as  Aldie.  Various  signalizing  was  carried  on  by  means  of  white  flags  above 
Piedmont.  Several  persons  who  saw  him  in  the  ambulance  report  his  spit 
ting  blood,  and  it  seems  to  be  the  general  impression  that  he  cannot  live.  There 
is  no  doubt  in  my  mind  but  what  he  is  yet  in  the  country,  concealed  ;  seriously, 
if  not  mortally  wounded.  In  both  expeditions  I  lost  neither  man  nor  horse 
and  captured  9  prisoners. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DOUGLAS  FRAZAR,  Major  Commanding. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  SEPARATE  BRIGADE, 

Fairfax  Court-House,   Va.,  January  1,  1865. 
Respectfully  forwarded  to  department  headquarters. 

I  exceedingly  regret  that  such  a  blunder  was  made.  I  have  given  direc 
tions  that  all  wounded  officers  and  men  of  the  enemy  be  hereafter  brought  in, 
although  I  thought  any  officer  ought  to  have  brains  and  common  sense  enough 

to  do  so  without  an  order. 

W.  GAMBLE.  Colonel,  Commanding  Brigade. 


MOSBV'S   RANGERS.  337 

On  their  return  march  (December  26th  and  27th)  the  two 
divisions  passed  through  Fauquier  County  by  different 
routes.  Having  heard  of  the  wounding  of  Mosby,  they 
made  diligent  search  for  him,  some  of  them  even  going  to 
the  house  where  he  was  being  cared  for.  They  did  not  find 
him,  however,  as  he  was  placed  in  the  ambulance  on  their 
approach  and  driven  into  the  woods,  where  he  was  kept 
concealed  until  they  left  the  vicinity. 

During  the  passage  of  this  expedition,  a  number  of  horses 
and  cattle  were  taken  from  the  farmers.  Many  of  the  Fed 
eral  cavalry  were  killed  and  wounded  in  skirmishes  with 
Mosby 's  men.5  Our  men  not  only  harrassed  them  through 


FAC-SIMILE  OF  A  CALL  FOR  MEETING  OF  COMMAND. 

the  day  while  on  the  march,  but  at  night  Lieutenant  Beattie, 
with  a  few  men,  hung  around  their  camp,  sending  up  rock 
ets  and  annoying  them,  to  prevent  sleep. 

On  the  29th  of  December,  a  detachment  of  about  300  Fed 
eral  cavalry,  under  Major  Frazar,  came  up  from  Fairfax  in 
search  of  Mosby,  expecting  to  find  him  wounded  in  some  of 
the  farm  houses.  They  scoured  the  country  around  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Middleburg,  Piedmont  and  Salem  for  two 
days  and  returned  as  they  came. 

6  The  itinerary  of  this  expedition  states  that  of  the  Reserve  Brigade  "  some 
13  enlisted  men  were  captured  and  shot  by  guerrillas." 


338  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

The  year  1864  closed  with  a  gloomy  outlook  for  the  Con 
federacy.  Sherman  had  reached  the  coast  safely.  The 
news  from  Hood  was  unfavorable,  although  the  South 
ern  newspapers  endeavored  to  make  the  reverse  appear. 
The  winter  in  Virginia  was  very  severe  and  the  ground 
was  covered  with  snow  and  sleet  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
season. 


CHARLES  E.  BIEDLER,  CO.  C. 
From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

January  and  February,  1865— Rumors  of  Peace  and  War — Companies  C,  E,  F  and  G  Sent  to 
Northern  Neck  of  Virginia—  Richards  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad— Dash  into  Reno 
Camp  of  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry — Bush.  Underwood's  Adventure  in  Fairfax 
—  Federal  Cavalry  from  Camp  Averell  (near  Winchester),  Under  Major  Gibson,  Cross  into 
Loudoun  and  Fauquier — They  Visit  Major  Richards'  Home — Narrow  Escape  of  the  Major 
and  his  Companions  from  Capture — The  Federals  Divide  their  Force — One  Party,  Loaded 
Up  with  Apple  Jack,  was  Sent  Back  to  Their  Camp — The  Other,  Less  Fortunate,  Badly 
Used  Up  at  Mount  Carmel. 

Although  the  war  was  waged  as  earnestly,  and  the  South 
ern  people  were  as  true  to  their  cause,  as  at  any  time  since 
the  commencement,  still  one  could  see  that  there  was  a  long 
ing  for  peace.  Nothing  showed  this  under-current  of  feel 
ing  more  plainly  than  the  avidity  with  which  people  would 
grasp  and  disseminate  the  peace  rumors  afloat  at  this  time, 
no  matter  how  absurd  or  contradictory  they  might  be. 

One  report  was  that  the  Confederate  Peace  Commission 
ers — Stephens,  Hunter  and  Campbell — had  been  received  in 
Washington  with  great  rejoicing  at  the  prospects  of  peace. 
That  Colonel  Mosby,  who  was  absent  in  the  South,  had  sent 
orders  to  Major  Richards  that  no  more  raids  should  be  un 
dertaken  and  that  all  prisoners  on  hand  (not  sent  South) 
should  be  set  free — intimating  that  an  armistice  had  been 
agreed  upon. 

Another  was  to  the  effect  that  France  and  England  had 
recognized  the  independence  of  the  Confederacy,  and 
declared  war  against  the  United  States. 

Still  another  rumor  was  that  Lincoln  and  the  United 
States  Congress  had  agreed  to  recognize  the  independence 
of  the  Confederacy,  with  the  understanding  that  both  North 
and  South  would  unite  and  join  forces  against  Maximillian 
in  Mexico,  and  that  no  foreign  power  was  to  be  allowed  a 
foothold  on  this  Continent. 

Tuesday,  January  3,  1865. — Companies  C,  E,  F  and  G  met 
at  Salem,  and  under  command  of  Lieut.-Col.  William  H. 
Chapman,  started  to  the  Northern  Neck  of  Virginia.  It 
had  been  determined  to  winter  a  portion  of  the  Battalion 


339 


340 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


there,  in  order  to  lighten  the  burden  of  the  people  within 
the  limits  of  "  Mosby's  Confederacy,"  who,  owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  food  and  forage  after  the  wanton  destruction  of 
Merritt  and  Custer,  were  in  many  instances  barely  able  to 
provide  for  themselves  the  necessaries  of  life.  The  other 
companies  remained,  and  were  under  the  command  of 
Major  Richards,  during  the  absence  of  Colonel  Mosby. 

On  the  3Oth  of  January  Major 
Richards  started  from  Bloom- 
-gjAjf  field  with  30  men  for  a  raid  on 

the  Baltimore  and    Ohio  Rail 
road,  between  Harper's  Ferry 
and  Winchester.     When  he 
reached    the     road,    about    11 
o'clock  p.  m.,  he  found  it  heavily 
guarded    by   infantry   and   pa 
trolled   by  cavalry,  so  that  he 
could  accomplish  nothing.     He 
sent  a  portion  of  his  men  back, 
but  kept  with  him  James  and 
Charles  Wiltshire,  Charles  Dear, 
Joseph   Bryan,  Edwin  Gipson, 
Will.  Sheppard,  Bartlett  Boll- 
ing,   John    Hearn,   and    a    few 
others,  in  all  about    15    of   his 
best  men,  and  moved  off  toward 
Charlestown.     He   endeavored 
to  cross  the  railroad,  but  could 
not  do  so   without    giving   an 
alarm.     Charles  Dear  and   James  Wiltshire  were  sent  to 
quietly  scout  along  the  road,  and  soon  returned  with  2  of  the 
mounted  patrols.  Richards  questioned  them,  and  then  turned 
them  over  to  Dear  and  Wiltshire  to  get  the  countersign.    The 
men  were  questioned  separately,  and  on  finding  their  answers 
the  same — the  word  being  "  Clear  " — Richards  sent  Charles 
Wiltshire  and  Will  Sheppard  down  the  railroad  to  test  the 
countersign.     They  came  back  with  2  prisoners  from  the 
Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 


DURANL)  SHACKLEFORD,  CO.  E. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


341 


Among  the  prisoners  was  a  very  communicative  Dutch 
man.     After  talking  with  him  a  while,  Richards  determined 
to  pay  a  visit  to  Reno  Camp  of  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania. 
Taking  the   Dutchman  for  a  guide,  the  entire  party  moved 
on  toward  the  camp.     On   the   road   they  were   met   and 
halted  by  a  patrol  of  4  men,  and  in  reply  to  the  query  as  to 
who  they   were,   Richards   answered,   "  Twelfth    Pennsyl 
vania,  Captain  Cook's  Company."     "  All  right,"  said  the  pa 
trol,  and  as  they  advanced  they  were  captured.  Richards 
sent  off  his  prisoners  under  guard,  but  kept  the  Dutchman 
with  him.     His  force  was  now  re 
duced  to  10  men,  and  with  these  he 
entered  the  camp.     The  camp  was 
laid  out  with  cabins  on  one  side, 
covered  with  canvas,  and  opposite 
were  the  stables  with  the  horses. 
As  the  party  rode  along,  the  sen 
tinels  were   walking  their  beats, 
and  a  soldier  coming  out  of  one 
of  the  cabins  to  replenish  the  fire 
was   captured    by   Charles    Wilt 
shire.     While   some   of  the   men 
were  loosing  the  horses,  Bartlett 
Boiling  rode  up  to  a  sentinel  a  short 
distance  off  and  demanded  his  sur 
render.     The  sentry  replied  with 
a  shot,  which   Boiling  returned, 
bringing  the  man  to  the  ground. 
The  camp  being  aroused,  Richards 

was  compelled  to  get  out  in  a  hurry,  firing  into  the  cabins  as 
his  party  retreated.     He  brought  off  8  horses. 

As  Richards  retreated  through  Charlestown,  the  enemy 
opened  quite  a  brisk  fire,  but  all  escaped  without  injury. 

Sunday,  February  5. — Bush.  Underwood  returned  to-day 

1  Edwin  Gipson  was  a  promising  young  lawyer  who  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
having  earned  the  reputation  of  a  good  soldier,  settled  down  to  the  quiet  prac 
tice  of  his  profession.  He  was  bitten  by  a  snake  on  his  farm  in  1876,  and  died 
from  its  effects. 


EDWIN  GIPSOX,1  CO.  D. 
From  a  Photograph. 


342  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

from  a  scout  in  Fairfax,  bringing  in  6  prisoners,  with  their 
horses  and  equipments. 

Being  in  the  neighborhood  of  Vienna,  with  a  few  men,  he 
left  his  companions  concealed  in  the  pines,  while  he  and 
William  Trammell  rode  off  to  a  house  at  some  distance  in 
quest  of  information.  A  party  of  Federal  Cavalry,  which 
had  been  sent  out  in  search  of  him,  dashed  up  to  the  house 
before  he  was  aware  of  their  approach.  Underwood  and 
Trammell  hastily  mounted  their  horses  and  rode  off,  closely 
pursued  by  the  enemy.  Reaching  Broad  Run  at  a  place 
where  the  bank  formed  a  steep  bluff,  they  gave  their  horses 
the  spurs  and  took  a  flying  leap,  leaving  their  pursuers  hesi 
tating  on  the  brink,  uncertain  whether  to  shoot  or  jump. 
They  fired  a  few  shots  after  the  retreating  Rangers,  which 
did  no  harm.  Joining  his  companions,  Underwood  returned 
and  attacked  the  party,  capturing  6  cavalrymen  with  their 
horses  and  equipments. 

Sunday,  February  19. — I  was  aroused  from  my  sleep  early 
in  the  morning  by  one  of  the  little  black  boys  clattering  up 
the  stairs — his  feet  being  encased  in  a  pair  of  old  shoes 
many  sizes  too  large  for  him.  At  every  step  he  called  out 
at  the  top  of  his  voice  :  "  Yankees  !  Yankees  !  "  Jumping 
out  of  bed,  I  soon  slipped  on  my  clothes  and  stepped  into 
the  hall,  fastening  my  belt  with  pistols  around  my  waist  as 
I  went  out.  In  the  dim  light  I  saw  a  soldier  running  up  the 
stairs,  clad  in  a  heavy  overcoat  with  cape.  My  first  thought 
was  that  the  enemy  had  surrounded  and  were  searching  the 
house,  but  as  he  came  closer  I  recognized  Captain  Walker, 
of  Company  B. 

"  The  Yankees  have  been  at  Richards'  house  "  (the  adjoin 
ing  farm),  "  and  are  now  on  their  way  to  Upperville,"  said 
he.  "  Go  off  toward  Bloomfield  and  send  all  the  men  you 
find  out  on  the  turnpike,  as  they  will  most  likely  cross  the 
river  at  Berry's  Ferry." 

My  horse  being  in  the  stable,  I  was  soon  in  the  saddle  and 
on  my  road,  stopping  at  each  house  to  inquire  whether  any 
of  our  men  were  about,  and,  if  so,  directed  to  hurry  them 
out  to  the  turnpike.  At  Bloomfield  I  turned  and  went  back 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  343 

along  the  Trap  road,  under  cover  of  the  mountain,  gather 
ing  up  all  the  men  on  my  way  and  coming  out  on  the  pike 
at  the  upper  end  of  the  town  of  Upperville. 

We  now  found  Richards  had  already  passed,  on  the  track 
of  the  enemy.  Following  on,  we  came  up  with  him  as  he 
was  about  making  a  charge  on  the  Federal  cavalry,  which 
was  then  entering  the  Mount  Carmel  road. 

A  body  of  250  Federal  cavalry,  consisting  of  detachments 
of  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  and  Twenty-first  New  York 
Cavalry,  guided  by  a  Confederate  deserter  named  Spotts, 
crossed  the  Shenandoah  river  at  Shepherd's  Mill  ford,  and, 
passing  through  Ashby's  Gap,  divided  at  Paris.2 

2  Report  of  Major    Thomas  Gibson,    Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,    com 
manding  Expedition . 

GIBSON  to  RUMSEY,  Feb.  20,  1865  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that, 
agreeable  to  directions  from  the  Brigadier-General  Commanding,  I  left  camp 
at  6  p.  m.  for  the  purpose  of  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  and  making  arrests  and 
seizures  of  certain  enemies  and  public  property  of  the  enemy  agreeable  to  in 
formation  received  from  two  deserters  ffom  Mosby's  command.  I  had  with 
me  125  men  and  3  officers  of  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and  100 
men  of  the  Twenty-first  New  York  Cavalry,  under  command  of  Captain 
Snow,  of  the  same  regiment.  There  were  150  men  detailed  from  the  Four 
teenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  ;  six  of  the  number  were  not  furnished  in  time,  20 
were  directed  to  return  to  camp  by  the  Assistant  Inspector-General  of  the  bri 
gade,  because  of  the  non-efficiency  of  their  horses.  This  reduced  the  number 
furnished  by  that  regiment  to  124  men,  and  making  the  total  of  the  troops  en 
gaged  224  enlisted  men. 

About  ii  p.  m.  I  crossed  the  Shenandoah  river  at  Shepherd's  Ford.  The 
expedition  was  accompanied  by  Captain  Martindale  and  Lieutenant  Baker, 
both  of  the  staff  of  the  major-general  commanding  Cavalry  Corps.  Captain 
Martindale  was  accompanied  by  6  scouts.  Lieutenant  Draper,  of  the  Twenty- 
first  New  York  Cavalry,  was  detailed  to  accompany  the  expedition  in  charge 
of  all  the  scouts  ;  4  enlisted  men  of  the  Twenty* first  New  York  Cavalry  were 
detailed  as  scouts  and  ordered  to  report  to  Lieutenant  Draper. 

Before  starting  from  camp,  having  crossed  the  Shenandoah  river,  I  ordered 
that  when  the  command  had  reached  Paris,  all  the  scouts  accompanying  the 
command,  except  2,  should  report  to  Lieutenant  Draper  ;  that  Captain  Snow, 
with  the  Twenty-first  New  York  and  one  of  the  deserters  from  Mosby,  should 
move  in  the  direction  of  Upperville.  Agreeable  to  the  instructions  of  the  briga 
dier-general  commanding,  I  directed  that  Captain  Snow  should  give  due 
consideration  to  all  information  and  suggestions  tendered  by  Lieutenant 
Draper  with  regard  to  roads,  etc. ;  that  Lieutenant  Draper  should  be  governed 
to  such  an  extent  as  he  should  deem  proper  by  the  information  received  from 


344 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


One  party  of  100  (Twenty-first  New  York)  came  to  Up- 
perville  before  daylight,  from  which  place  they  sent  a  de 
tachment  to  the  house  of  Jesse  Richards  (father  of  Major 
Richards)  and  surrounded  it.  There  were  in  the  house  at 
the  time  Major  Richards,  Capt.  Robert  S.  Walker  and  pri 
vate  John  Hipkins.  Hearing  a  rap  at  the  door,  Captain 


the  deserter  who  accompanied  him  ;  that  Lieutenant  Draper  and  Captain 
Snow,  with  that  portion  of  the  command,  should  be  at  Upperville  one  hour  be 
fore  daylight  on  the  igth. 

I  stated  that  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  would  meet  them  there 
and  if  either  regiment  should  fail  to  be  there  at  the  appointed  hour,  the  one  on 
the  ground  should  await  the  arrival  of  the  other  until  half  an  hour  after  day 
break.  If  at  half  an  hour  after  daybreak  either  portion  of  the  command  pres 
ent,  they  should  move  across  the  Shenandoah  and  camp.  Before  reaching  Paris 

Captain  Martindale  expressed  himself  of 
_^  the  opinion  that  Piedmont  would  be  the 

better  point  to  meet  at.  I  accepted  Cap 
tain  Martindale's  opinion  because  I  had 

4*\  always  understood  that  he  was  well  in 

formed  regarding  the  geography  of  the 
country,  while  I  am  not.  I  sent  for  Lieu 
tenant  Draper,  who  was  near  me,  in  order 
to  commuicate  my  change  of  the  place  of 
rendezvous.  I  sent  for  him  and  directed 
him  to  communicate  my  change  of  orders 
to  Captain  Snow,  because  the  command 
was  obliged  to  march  by  file,  and  Captain 
Snow,  who  was  the  rear,  would  find  it 
very  difficult  to  pass  the  column,  We 
were  near  Paris  and  time  was  precious. 
I  told  Lieutenant  Draper  that  he  would 
be  held  reponsible  for  the  communication 
of  my  orders.  When  I  reached  Paris, 
Captain  Snow's  column  took  the  proper 
route  ;  I  think  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylva 
nia  Cavalry,  2  scouts  and  Captain  Martin- 
dale  and  Lieutenant  Baker,  moved  to  the 
right  of  Paris.  I  proceeded  to  search  such 
houses  as  were  pointed  out  by  the  deserter 

from  Mosby,  who  accompanied  me,  as  the  homes  of  Mosby's  men  and  officers 
and  the  places  used  for  storage  of  the  enemy's  supplies.  At  the  first  house  I  or 
dered  to  be  searched,  Lieutenant  Jones,  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
whom  I  had  ordered,  with  25  men,  to  search  all  houses  which  I  thought  should 
be  searched,  was  left  with  2  men.  Before  he  had  finished  searching,  I  moved 


BUSHROD  UNDERWOOD,  CO.  A. 
Drawn  from  an  old  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  345 

Walker  got  up  and  was  about  to  open  it,  when  one  of  the 
Federal  soldiers,  growing  impatient,  thundered  away  at  the 
door  with  the  butt  of  his  carbine.  Walker  immediately 
went  back  and  he  and  the  others  hid  themselves.  Upon 
forcing  open  the  door,  the  Federals  struck  a  light  and 


the  column,  presuming  Lieutenant  Jones  would  follow  the  course  the  regimer 
had  taken.     Lieutenant  Jones  mistook  the  route  taken  by  the  regiment  and 
failed  to  overtake  it.     I  moved  by  way  of  Markham  Station  to  a  point  on  the 
road  from  Upperville  to  Piedmont,  and  2  miles  from  the  latter  point.     I  arrived 
at  this  point  at  6  30  a.  m.     I  sent  a  patrol  consisting  of  a  sergeant  and  10  men 
from  the  point  to  Piedmont.    I  sent  a  verbal 
message  by  the  sergeant  to  Captain  Snow  to 
move  immediately  to  my  position,  it  being 
on  the  direct  road  to  Winchester  by  way  of 
Ashby's  Gap.     I    directed  the  sergeant  to 
move  there  and  back  rapidly.    The  sergeant 
having  arrived  at  Piedmont,  found  that  the 
Twenty  first  New    York  Cavalry  was    not 
there  and  had  not  been  there.     Thinking     i_ 
Captain  Snow  might  have  pursued  my  first    ; 
instructions  to  meet  me  with  his  command     \ 
at  Upperville,  I  expected  to  find  that  he  had 
remained  there  until  half  an  hour  after  day 
light,  and  consequently  he  would  not  be  far 
ahead  of  me. 

On  arriving  at  Upperville,  I  was  aston 
ished  to  find  that  Captain  Snow  had  left  that 
place  at  5  o'clock  that  morning,  instead  of 

the  later  hour  I  had  directed.     Small  parties    CApTj  ROBERT  s.  WALKER,  CO.  B. 
of  the  enemy  continually  harassed  our  rear,  From  a  War.time  photograph. 

and  threatened  our  front  and  flanks.    On  ar 
riving  at  Paris,  they  made  strong  demonstra 
tions,  and  as  we  passed  through  that  place   the  command  was  harassed  by 
musketry  from  behind  a  stone  wall.     The  stone  wall  was  on  elevated  ground 
protected  by  natural  obstacles  from  an  attack  from  cavalry  and  protected  per 
fectly  from  our  fire.     I  succeeded  in  marching  the  command  through  the  town 
without  sustaining  any  loss.     Up  to  this  time  I  had  captured  18  of  the  enemy, 
including  Mosby's  quartermaster  and  one  lieutenant  of  the  line,  together  with 
about  50  horses. 

On  arriving  at  a  point  on  the  road  from  Paris  to  Berry's  Ferry  where  the 
road  to  Shepherd's  Ford  turns  off,  it  became  necessary  to  march  the  command 
by  file,  owing  to  a  narrow  passage  through  the  rocks,  of  the  path  known  as  the 
road  to  Shepherd's  Ferry.  I  halted  the  command  to  put  everything  in  the 
best  order,  lest  we  should  be  attacked  while  in  the  path. 

The  following  was  the  disposition  of  my  command  at  the  time  :  Lieutenant 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


searched  the  house,  but  did  not  succeed  in  finding  Richards 
or  his  companions,  though  they  got  most  of  their  clothes. 
They  ransacked  every  drawer  and  closet  in  the  house,  taking 
silverware  and  everything  they  fancied.  The  most  serious 
loss  to  the  Major,  however,  was  a  handsome  new  dress  uni 
form  and  overcoat,  which  he  had  just  received  from  Balti 
more. 

After  leaving  Richards'  house,  the  detachment  of  Federal 
cavalry  returned  to  Upperville  to  rejoin  their  companions, 


Jones  was  missing  from  the 
night  before  ;  Lieutenant  Ne- 
smith,  Fourteenth  Pennsylva 
nia  Cavalry,  had  been  seriously 
wounded  the  preceding  night  , 
Captain  D.  K.  Duff,  Four 
teenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
and  myself  were  the  only  offi 
cers  present  for  duty.  I  placed 
Captain  Duff  in  charge  of  the 
rear  guard,  which  consisted  of 
40  men.  The  advance  and 
main  portion  of  the  command 
consisted  of  50  men.  The 
prisoners  and  led  horses  un 
der  guard  of  25  men  were  in 
the  advance  of  Captain  Duff's 
portion  of  the  command  and  in 
the  rear  of  the  main  body.  I 
made  the  rearguard  so  strong, 
in  proportion  to  the  size  of 
my  command,  owing  to  the 
enemy's  repeated  and  vigor 
ous  attacks  on  it.  I  was  at  the 
head  of  the  column.  I  turned 
around  in  order  to  observe 
the  condition  of  the  column, 

and  looking  to  the  rear,  which  had  not  entered  the  new  direction,  I  observed 
several  men  hold  up  their  hands  and  make  gestures  which  I  supposed  were 
intended  to  inform  me  that  the  rear  was  attacked.  I  immediately  ordered  the 
command  "  right  into  line,"  ordered  the  prisoners  and  led  horses  to  be  moved 
forward  quickly  into  the  path  and  to  follow  the  extreme  advance,  which  I  did 
not  recall. 

No  sooner  had  I   issued  these  commands,  than   I  saw  Captain  Duff  and  his 


J.  L.  MOON,  CO.  D. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  when  a  Cadet  at  the  Virginia 
Military  Institute. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  347 

to  find  them  all  gloriously  drunk — thoroughly  saturated 
with  apple-jack.  In  their  search  for  rebels,  they  found  two 
barrels  of  the  enemy  and  in  their  encounter  with  old  jack 
they  were  completely  overcome,  so  that  their  commander 
was  compelled  to  withdraw  his  forces,  carrying  off  his 
wounded  and  leaving  his  dead  on  the  field  unburied.  Five 
or  six  of  the  New  Yorkers  were  so  stupidly  drunk  that  they 
could  not  get  away.  The  others  were  taken  across  the 
Shenandoah  river  and  returned  to  their  camp. 

party  at  the  rear  of  the  small  party  who  marched  in  the  rear  of  the  led  horses. 
Captain  Duff's  command  was  coming  at  a  run.  I  saw  rebels  among  and  in  the 
rear  of  his  party,  charging.  I  ordered  the  command  forward,  fired  a  volley 
and  ordered  a  charge,  which  the  men  did  not  complete.  Captain  Duff  in  the 
meantime  was  trying  to  rally  his  men  in  the  rear  of  my  line.  Before  his  men 
had  reloaded  their  pieces,  I  had  fired  another  volley  and  ordered  a  second 
charge.  All  the  prisoners  and  led  horses  had  not  yet  entered  the  path.  The 
charge  was  met  by  one  from  the  enemy  and  the  command  was  broken.  The 
men  had  no  weapons  but  their  carbines  and  these  were  extremely  difficult  to 
load,  and  inefficient  in  the  melee  that  ensued.  I  made  every  effort,  as  did 
Captain  Duff  and  Captain  Martindale  and  Lieutenant  Baker,  of  the  corps 
staff,  to  reform  the  men,  but  our  efforts  were  fruitless.  The  rebels  had  very 
few  sabres,  but  were  well  supplied  with  revolvers,  and  rode  up  to  our  men  and 
shot  them  down,  without  meeting  more  resistance  than  men  could  make  with 
carbines.  There  was  a  small  ridge  overlooking  both  parties,  through  which 
the  path  led.  I  rode  up  the  side  of  this  and  formed  the  advance  guard,  which 
had  returned  to  aid  me.  The  enemy  were  amidst  the  men,  and  both  parties  were 
so  mixed  up  that  it  was  impossible  to  get  the  men  in  line.  As  fast  as  the  men 
could  force  their  horses  into  the  path,  where  many  of  the  men  were  crowded  to 
gether,  they  broke  for  the  river.  I  waited  until  I  was  surrounded,  and  only  a 
half  a  dozen  men  left  around  ;  the  balance  had  retreated  toward  the  river, 
or  were  killed,  wounded  or  captured.  Captain  Martindale,  as  he  left,  said  to 
me  :  "It  is  useless  to  attempt  to  rally  the  men  here  ;  we'll  try  it  farther  on." 
I  tried  to  ride  to  the  front.  The  prisoners  had  placed  the  horses  they  were  on 
and  leading,  across  the  path,  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  men.  Men 
were  crowded  into  the  path  by  twos  and  threes  where  there  was  really  only 
room  for  one  to  ride.  Men  were  being  thrown  and  being  crushed  as  they 
lay  on  the  ground,  by  others  ;  they  were  falling  from  their  horses  from  the 
enemy's  fire  in  front  and  rear  of  me.  I  rode  past  about  20  of  the  men  and 
again  tried  to  rally  the  men,  but  all  my  efforts  were  fruitless. 

I  remained  at  this  point  until  nearly  all  of  our  men  were  past  me.  I  rode 
ahead  of  a  portion  of  the  command  again  and  begged  them  to  stop,  but  I 
couldn't  rally  them.  My  right  leg  was  rendered  useless  by  my  horse  falling  over 
another,  and,  as  he  rose,  a  man  riding  fell  against  me,  the  whole  weight  of  his 
animal  being  precipitated  against  my  leg.  A  couple  of  rebels  were  standing  fir- 


348 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


Major  Gibson,  with  his  detachment  of  150  of  the  Four 
teenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  went  along  the  mountain  road 
to  Markham  and  Piedmont  and  thence  to  Upperville,  where 
they  expected  to  join  the  Twenty-first  New  York,  but  not 
finding  them,  and  seeing  little  parties  of  our  men  watching 
their  movements  from  the  surrounding  hills,  they  became 
alarmed  and  pushed  on  rapidly  toward  Ashby's  Gap. 

Sam.  Alexander,  George  Triplettand  Clem.  Edmonds  were 
sleeping  in  their  little  "  shebang  "  when  they  heard  the  Fed- 
ing  at  me,  and  my  pistol  was  un 
loaded.  I  turned  and  passed  a 
number  of  the  men.  I  again  at 
tempted  to  rally  them.  I  told  them 
that  there  were  only  a  few  following 
us,  and  they  could  be  easily  taken. 
My  horse  had  been  wounded  and 
my  leg  was  altogether  useless.  I 
waited  until  the  last  of  our  men, 
mixed  up  with  a  large  number  of 
escaped,  led  and  riderless  horses, 
passed  me.  I  was  ordered  to  sur 
render,  two  of  the  enemy  in  advance 
endeavoring  to  beat  me  off  my 
horse  with  their  pistols.  I  suc 
ceeded  in  again  passing  a  number 
of  the  men  and  tried  to  rally  them, 
but  it  was  impossible  ;  they  were 
panic-stricken  ;  one  of  my  own 
men,  as  I  presented  my  empty 
revolver  at  the  head  of  another, 
trying  to  stop  him,  ran  between  us 
and  knocked  that  out  of  my  hand. 
Again,  the  rear  of  the  command, 
now  reduced  to  about  24  men  and 

about  60  horses  and  mules,  passed  me,  and  I  was  unarmed  and  alone  in  the 
rear.  I  passed  several  of  the  men  and  endeavored  to  persuade  them  of  the 
weakness  of  the  enemy,  their  unloaded  pistols,  etc.,  but  it  was  fruitless  ;  com 
mands  and  persuasions  were  disregarded. 

I  suffered  terribly  from  physical  pain  and  could  do  little  to  stop  them  by 
physical  force.  I  reached  the  river  ;  my  horse  fell  several  times  in  it,  but  at 
last  I  got  across.  Captain  Martindale  forced  most  of  the  men  across  to  halt 
and  form  here,  and  cover  the  crossing  of  the  few  who  had  reached  the  river. 
Captain  Martindale,  myself,  2  scouts  and  12  men  were  saved.  We  awaited 
to  see  if  more  would  come,  but  none  came  ;  S  had  crossed  and  arrived  at 


SAM.  ALEXANDER,  CO.  B. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS.  349 

eralsat  Mrs.  Betsy  Edmonds'  house.  Mounting  their  horses, 
they  rode  out  and  gave  the  alarm.  At  Brown's  they  found 
Lieutenant  Wrenn,  and  picking  up  men  as  they  moved  on, 
followed  the  Federals,  keeping  them  well  closed  up,  but  not 
yet  strong  enough  to  make  an  attack.  At  Upperville  Wrenn 
was  joined  by  Major  Richards,  who  had  donned  a  suit  of 
his  father's  clothes  and  started  in  pursuit  of  the  Federals. 

Richards'  force  now  numbered  43  men,  and  he  decided  to 
attack  the  Pennsylvanians  in  the  Gap.  He  overtook  them 
at  Mount  Carmel,  in  Ashby's  Gap,  where  the  road  to  Shep 
herd's  Mill  leaves  the  turnpike,  and  charged  them  on  sight. 
They  attempted  to  form  and  delivered  a  volley  with  their 
carbines  ;  but  the  carbine  was  no  match  for  the  revolver  at 

camp  before  us.  I  was  placed  in  a  sleigh  and  arrived  at  camp  at  4.30  p.  m.  this 
day. 

I  ascribe  the  disaster  to,  ist,  Captain  Snow,  commanding  Twenty-first  New 
York,  failing  to  go  to  Piedmont  as  ordered  through  Lieutenant  Draper,  or  to 
Upperville,  as  I  ordered  him  personally,  and  to  remain  at  either  of  the  places 
until  half  an  hour  after  daybreak.  One  of  Captain  Snow's  command,  who  had 
been  drunk  and  was  left  by  the  command,  confirmed  the  information  I  re 
ceived  from  negroes  and  citizens  that  Captain  Snow  left  Upperville  at  5  a.  m. 
instead  of  half  an  hour  after  daybreak  ;  2d,  to  Captain  Duff's  rear  guard  being 
pushed  into  the  rear  of  the  column  before  I  knew  he  was  attacked  ;  3d,  to  the 
paucity  of  officers  detailed  with  the  command,  and  the  large  number  of  men 
engaged  who  were  new  recruits  ;  4th,  to  the  men  having  neither  sabres  nor  re 
volvers  and  consequently  being  unable  to  engage  in  a  melee  successfully  with  an 
enemy  armed  with  at  least  2  revolvers  to  the  man  ;  also,  I  didn't  know  of  the 
attack  until  I  observed  the  rear  guard  coming  in  at  full  flight,  mixed  up  with 
and  pursued  by  the  enemy.  I  don't  think  the  enemy's  force  exceeded  between 
60  and  75  men. 

Lieutenant  Jones  and  10  men  with  him  have  returned  to  camp  safely.  The 
loss  is  one  officer,  Lieutenant  Nesmith,  wounded  ;  Captain  Duff,  Lieutenant 
Baker,  corps  staff,  and  78  men  missing.  I  returned  to  camp  by  way  of  Berry- 
ville. 

I  forward,  enclosed,  the  report  of  Captain  Snow,  which  is  incorrect  as  far  as 
it  differs  from  this.  I  have  not  yet  received  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Draper. 
I  feel  satisfied  that  I  did  all  I  knew  how  to  make  the  movement  a  success,  and 
it  having  failed  and  proved  a  disaster,  I  earnestly  request  to  be  allowed  to  ap 
pear  before  a  court  of  inquiry  to  prove  that  I  am  not  responsible  for  the  failure. 
A  man  has  just  arrived  who  hid  in  a  thicket  and  says  he  saw  a  party  of  about 
600  of  the  enemy  moving  toward  Shepherd's  Ford. 

I  have  omitted  heretofore  to  state  that  a  party  under  Lieutenant  Baker,  of 
the  Corps  headquarters,  captured  a  quartermaster's  camp  of  Mosby's  com- 


35°  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

close  quarters,  and  our  men  broke  and  routed  them  com 
pletely.  The  road  from  Mount  Carmel  to  Shepherd's  Mill, 
along  which  the  Federals  fled,  was  very  narrow,  and  on  either 

side  was  a  thick  growth  of 
trees  and  brush.  It  was 
literally  strewn  with 

;.;,:          Aiv,  -1 

hats,  belts,  carbines,  tur 
keys  and  chickens — both 
living  and  dead — clothing 
|  ^  and  plunder  of  all  kinds, 

which  the  pillagers  in 
their  flight  had  thrown 
away.  The  blood  from 
the  wounded  men  and 
horses  crimsoned  the 
snow  along  the  road. 

Thirteen  Federals  were 
<J  killed  and  a  great  number 

wounded ;  63  prisoners, 
including  several  officers, 
were  captured,  with  90 
horses.  Five  or  six  horses 

A.  LEE  PATTESON,  CO.  C.  ,.,,      ,          XT.     ' 

-        w     .  were    killed.     Nineteen 

From  a  War-time  Photograph. 

prisoners,  which  the  Fed 
erals  had  picked  up  on  their  road,  were  released,  and  a  num 
ber  of  horses  were  recaptured  and  restored  to  their  owners. 

mand.  There  was  no  property  but  one  wagon  and  one  ambulance,  2  horses 
and  6  mules  in  it.  We  brought  the  horses  and  mules  along,  but  they,  with  the 
rest,  were  lost  in  the  fight. 

Trusting,  general,  that  you  will  grant  me  the  court  of  inquiry  at  the  earliest 
practicable  moment,  I  remain  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  GIBSON,  Major  Commanding  Detachment. 
Major  WILL  RUMSEY,  A.  A.  G.,  Second  Cav.  Division. 


Report  of  Capt.  Henry  E.  Snow,   Twenty-first  Ar.    Y.  Cavalry. 

CAMP  TWENTY-FIRST  N.  Y.  VOLUNTEER  CAVALRY. 

CampAvcrcll,  Va.,  Feb  18  (19),  1865, 

SIR  :    I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  I  was  detailed  yesterday,  the   i8th 
instant,  to  take  command  of   100  men  of  the  Twenty-first  (Griswold's    Light) 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  351 

The  only  loss  on  our  side  was  John  Iden,  of  the  regular 
army,  who  was  accidentally  killed  in  the  excitement  of  the 
chase  by  one  of  our  own  men  ;  and  Dr.  Sowers,  who  was 
slightly  wounded. 

Efforts  were  made  to  capture  the  deserter,  Spotts,  but 
being  well  mounted,  he  fled  at  the  first  attack  and  escaped. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  February,  Colonel 
Mosby  returned  from  the  South  to  the  command. 

New  York  Cavalry,  and  report  to  Major  Gibson,  of  the  Fourteenth  Penn 
sylvania  Cavalry  for  scout.  Left  camp  at  6.  p.  m.,  the  i8th  instant,  crossed 
the  Shenandoah  River  at  Shepherd  Mills  Ford  near  Paris,  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia  ;  received  orders  from  Major  Gibson  to  take  the  road  leading  to 
Upperville;  and  search  all  houses  between  Paris  and  Upperville  ;  also,  to 
give  the  latter  place  a  thorough  searching.  While  he  would  take  the  road 
leading  to  the  right  to  Piedmont,  I  was  to  remain  at  Upperville  until  one  hour 
before  daybreak,  where  he  was  to  join  me.  If  he  did  not  arrive,  on  no  account 
was  I  to  remain  there  longer  than  half  an  hour  before  daybreak,  but  start  with 
my  command  to  camp.  Agreeable  to  instructions  I  proceeded  to  Upperville, 
and  gave  the  houses  there  a  thorough  searching,  and  in  the  vicinity,  finding  3 
Confederate  soldiers,  one  belonging  to  Mosby's  command  and  two  to  the 
Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry.  About  3.30  this  a.  m.  I  took  10  men  to  search 
Major  Richards'  house,  one  mile  from  Upperville,  leaving  Lieutenant  Mel- 
drum,  Twenty-first  New  York  (Grisvvold's  Light)  Cavalry,  in  command  until 
my  return,  with  strict  orders  to  keep  the  men  in  column  and  be  in  readiness 
for  any  .emergency.  On  my  return  I  found  about  one-third  of  the  men  very 
much  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  they  having  found  two  barrels  of  liquor  dur 
ing  my  absence.  Started  for  camp  and  arrived  at  Paris  at  daylight,  return 
ing  by  the  way  of  Berry's  Bridge.  Arrived  in  camp  at  10.30  a.  m. 

Six  of  my  men  were  left  in  Loudoun  ;  they  were  so  intoxicated  that  it  was 
impossible  to  get  them  along.  The  horses,  arms  and  accoutrements  were 
brought  in  by  the  rear  guard. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  most  respectfully,  etc., 

HENRY  E.  SNOW, 

Capt.  A.  Co.,   Twenty-first  N .    Y.    Vol.  Cav.,  Commanding  Detail. 

To  MAJOR  GIBSON,  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

March,  1865 — Battalion  Sent  Down  into  Loudoun — Glascock  Routs  Patrol  in  Fairfax— Lieutenant 
Thomson  Captures  Patrol— Raiders  from  Rappahannock  Passing  Through  Fauquier— 
Death  of  John  Waller — Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher  Taken  Prisoner— Surrenders  Himself  to 
Save  His  Friend — Colonel  Reno  with  a  Force  from  Harper's  Ferry  Sent  to  Drive  Mosby 
from  Loudoun — Fight  near  Harmony — Following  up  Raiders  Through  Loudoun— Capture 
of  Quartermaster  James — A.  Daring  Federal  Officer — Lieutenant  Ferris'  Fight  with 
Mosby's  Men— Death  of  Wiltshire  and  Gill. 

Monday,  March  6. — The  Battalion  assembled  at  Upper- 
ville,  and  marched  down  to  the  lower  part  of  Loudoun,  in 
order  to  protect  the  Quartermaster  and  his  details  of  men, 
who  were  gathering  up  corn  and  other  supplies,  and  at  the 
same  time,  by  keeping  the  command  there  for  a  short  time, 
relieve  that  portion  of  the  county,  which  had  been  so  over 
run  by  Federal  raiding  parties.1 

Sunday,  March  12. — A  detachment  of  between  40  and  50 
men,  under  Captain  Glascock,  from  the  command  quar 
tered  in  Loudoun,  was  sent  to  Fairfax  to  attack  a  cavalry 
patrol. 

Arriving  at  a  point  on  the  road  near  Lewinsville,  where  it 
was  expected  the  patrol  would  pass  (a  little  hollow  in  the 
pines),  Captain  Glascock,  Bush.  Underwood  and  Thomas 
Moss  went  to  the  edge  of  the  pines  to  watch  the  road.  The 
patrol,  numbering  22  men  from  the  Thirteenth  New  York 
Cavalry,  soon  came  along.  Moss  was  sent  back  with  orders 
to  bring  forward  10  men,  who  were  put  in  charge  of  Bush, 
Underwood  with  instructions  that,  as  soon  as  the  enemy 

1  STEVENSON  (Harper's  Ferry)  to  Brig.  Gen.  MORGAN,  Cumberland,  March 
8,  1865  :  "  I  have  a  number  of  persons  from  Loudoun  County  here  who  came 
in  last  night.  Mosby,  with  considerable  force,  represented  to  be  at  least  500 
strong,  was  at  Waterford  last  night.  He  is  conscripting  all  the  inhabitants 
capable  of  bearing  arms.  He  is  represented  to  have  a  light  battery  of  4  guns 
(doubtful).  I  am  putting  down  a  pontoon  bridge  and  think  a  cavalry  force 
should  be  sent  over  there  sufficiently  strong  to  drive  him  from  the  country.  I 
have  only  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  ;  not  reliable." 

STEVENSON  to  SEWARD  (Martinsburg),  March  8,  1865  :  "  Mosby  crossed 
the  Shenandoah  to-day  with  300  men,  crossing  at  Snicker's  Ferry.  Reno 
thinks  he  went  to  White  Post.  I  thought  I  would  advise  you  to  be  on  the  look 
out  for  a  raid." 

352 


MOSBYS   RANGERS.  353 

passed,  to  cross  over  in  their  rear,  in  order  to  pick  up  any 
who  might  escape  Captain  Glascock,  who  would  attack  in 
front. 

The  Federals,  seeing  us,  halted,  but  mistaking  us  for 
some  of  their  own  men,  again 
moved  on.  Glascock,  thinking 
they  were  about  to  retreat,  or 
dered  a  charge,  and  the  fight 
which  ensued  being  in  a  narrow 
road,  at  close  quarters,  was  very 
destructive  to  the  enemy,  12  of 
whom,  dead  or  wounded,  lay 
on  the  ground  at  the  close, 
together  with  6  horses  killed. 
Nine  prisoners  were  taken. 
Our  loss  was  one  man,  Francis 
Marion  Yates,  of  Rappahan- 
nock,  who  was  accidentally 
killed  by  our  own  men  in  the  THOMAS  MOSS,  co.  D. 

Charge.  From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 

Ed.  O'Brien  was  wounded  in 

the  leg,  and  Thomas  Moss  was  injured  by  his  horse  falling 
with  him.  Zach.  F.  Jones  had  his  horse  badly  wounded. 

John  Hipkins  was  with  the  party  sent  to  cut  off  the  retreat 
of  the  enemy,  and  his  pistol  failing  to  fire,  he  threw  it  at  one 
of  the  Federals  across  the  road  and  knocked  him  from  his 
horse.8 

Ed.  Thomson,  with  30  picked  men,  among  them  Charles 
Dear,  J.  Willie  Dear,  John  Newcomb,  Crawford,  James 


2  GAMBLE  to  TAYLOR,  March  12,  1865  :  "COLONEL  :  The  patrol — i  officer, 
sergeant  and  20  men,  Thirteenth  New  York  Cavalry — was  attacked  by  guer 
rillas  at  I  p.  m.  about  2  miles  beyond  Vienna,  this  side  of  Peach  Grove  stock 
ade.  Lieutenant  Cuyler  was  with  the  party  and  reports  by  signal  from  Vienna 
2  men  killed,  5  wounded,  6  horses  killed,  and  I  wounded.  The  balance  of  the 
patrol  came  into  Vienna.  A  detailed  report  will  be  sent  so  soon  as  received. 
I  have  ordered  a  squadron  from  Prospect  Hill  to  march  through  the  woods  one 
mile  on  the  flank  of  the  daily  patrol  until  the  cavalry  now  out  returns,  when 
the  country  in  front  will  be  swept  by  the  whole  cavalry  force  at  night,  and 
every  house  examined  from  here  to  Bull  Run  Mountains  at  the  same  time, 
where  the  guerrillas  stop  at  night." 


354 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


Lowndes,  J.  S.  Mason  and  L.  R.  Mason,  was  sent  on  a  scout 
from  Loudoun.  They  went  through  the  enemy's  lines  to 
Munson's  Hill,  capturing  a  patrol  of  10  men,  whom  they 
met  on  their  route,  with  their  horses  and  equipments, 
and  afterwards  cutting  their  way  through  the  lines  near 
Springfield  Station,  returned  to  the  command  without 
loss.3 

Wednesday,  March  15. — A  detachment  of  the  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  on  their  return  march  from  a  raid  into  Rappahan- 

nock,  passed  through  Fauquier 
County.  Near  The  Plains  they 
came  upon  John  T.  Waller  of 
Company  A  and  Harry  T.  Sin- 
nott  of  Company  B,  who  being 
penned  up  in  Fishback's  lane, 
were  called  upon  to  surrender. 
Waller  replied  by  opening  fire 
on  the  enemy.  The  Federals 
returned  the  fire  and  Waller 
was  shot  through  the  head  and 
instantly  killed.  Sinnott  jumped 
the  fence  and  made  his  escape. 
One  of  the  Federal  officers  told 
George  Fishback  that  Waller 
was  the  bravest  man  he  ever  saw. 
He  was  buried  at  The  Plains, 
and  after  the  war  his  remains 
was  removed  to  Lynchburg. 
Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher,  with  a  few  men,  followed  the  Fed 
eral  cavalry  down  the  turnpike  below  Aldie,  when,  thinking 
they  had  gone  back,  he  returned  to  the  house  and  went  to 
bed.  In  the  room  with  him  was  a  young  man  who  was  to 
be  married  in  a  few  days. 

A  party  of  the  cavalry  that  had  been  sent  back  sur 
rounded  the  house.  Hatcher,  hearing  the  bustle  outside, 

3  TAYLOR  to  GAMBLE,  March  12,  1865  :  "  Guerrillas  carried  off  last  night 
a  citizen  and  7  horses  from  the  vicinity  of  Upton's  Hill.  Your  people  must  be 
kept  on  the  alert  and  make  continual  scouts.  Have  you  heard  from  the  de 
tachment  sent  to  Warrenton  and  Sperryville?" 


FRANCIS  MARION  YATES,  CO.  D. 

KilleJ  March  12,  1865,  in  skirmish  with 

patrol  of  i6th  N.  Y.  Cavalry. 


MOSBV  S    RANGERS. 


355 


put  his  head  out  of  the  window  and  seeing-  a  number  of  sol 
diers  around,  asked : 

"  Boys,  are  the  Yankees  about  ?  " 

"We  are  Yankees,"  replied  one  of  them,   "  come  down." 

"Wait  till  I  get  my  clothes 
on,"  said  Hatcher. 

Then  turning  to  the  young 
man,  he  said  in  a  low  voice : 
"  Hide  yourself  and  I  will  go 
down.  Tis  better  for  them  to 
take  me  than  you." 

When  he  opened  the  door  they 
asked  if  there  were  any  more 
rebels  about.  "  No,"  said  Hatch 
er;  and  they  went  on  their  way, 
taking  him  along  as  a  prisoner.4 

Monday,  March  20. — A  report 
was  brought  in  by  our  scouts 
that  a  large  body  of  Federal 
troops  had  crossed  the  river  at 
Harper's  Ferry  and  were  then 
camped  at  Hillsborough.  This 
force  we  afterwards  learned  was 
composed  of  the  Twelfth  Penn 
sylvania  Cavalry,  Colonel  Reno, 

and  a  regiment  of  infantry  under  Colonel  Bird,  and 
was  sent  over  to  drive  Mosby's  Rangers  out  of  Loudoun 
County.  Colonel  Mosby  immediately  dispatched  couriers 
to  order  a  rendezvous  at  Hamilton. 

Tuesday,  March  21. — Command  met  at  Hamilton,  or  as  it 
was  more  frequently  called,  Harmony,  in  the  Quaker  Settle 
ment.  One  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men  were  present 

*  Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher  died  April  23,  1895,  at  his  residence,  about  3  miles 
from  Middleburg,  in  Fauquier  County.  He  was  paralyzed  about  a  year  pre 
vious  to  his  death.  Though  a  great  sufferer,  he  remained  cheerful  and  enjoyed 
the  society  of  his  friends  and  old  comrades  to  the  last. 

5  Harry  T.  Sinnott  was  a  member  of  Company  E,  Forty-fourth  Virginia 
Infantry.  He  joined  Mosby  in  June,  1863;  was  a  member  of  Company  A  until 
the  organization  of  Company  B,  when  he  was  transferred  to  that  company  and 
so  remained  up  to  the  surrender. 


HARRY  T.  SINNOTT,  CO.  B.5 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


356  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

v^ 

and  we  moved  off  to  the  Quaker  church.  The  Battalion 
had  left  but  a  short  time  when  the  Federal  forces  occupied 
the  town  and  a  portion  of  their  cavalry  came  in  sight  of  the 
church,  but  soon  retired.  We  again  moved  off,  and  halted 
about  one  mile  south  of  Hamilton  on  the  road  to  Silcott 
Springs.  Captain  Glascock,  with  Company  D  and  a  por 
tion  of  Company  A,  was  posted  in  a  piece  of  woods  to  the 
left  of  the  road.  Six  well  mounted  men  were  then  ordered 
to  ride  forward  and  attack  the  enemy's  advance  and  then 
fall  back  past  the  woods  in  which  Glascock's  men  were 
concealed,  in  order  to  draw  out  the  cavalry  from  the  in 
fantry.  The  ruse  succeeded  and  the  whole  cavalry  force 
started  in  pursuit  of  the  6  men,  who  fled  wildly,  as  though 
surprised  and  terror-stricken.  On  came  the  Federal  cavalry, 
shouting  and  yelling,  and  their  advance  swept  by  before 
they  noticed  us.  As  they  approached,  orders  were  given 
to  fall  back  a  little  from  the  road,  so  as  to  keep  out  of  sight 
as  much  as  possible.  Some  of  the  men  in  the  rear,  not  un 
derstanding  this  movement,  created  some  little  confusion  in 
the  ranks.  Noticing  this,  Captain  Glascock  said :  '  Come, 
Company  D  !  Come  on,  Company  A ! "  and  dashed  on,  fol 
lowed  by  his  men. 

Referring  to  this  fight,  Lieut.  Channing  Smith  wrote : 

"  I  was  sitting  on  my  horse  in  the  edge  of  the  field  near 
Colonel  Mosby  and  saw  the  whole  affair,  ft  was  my  first 
experience  with  the  Rangers  and  I  eagerly  and  excitedly 
watched  the  movement.  The  Captain  (Glascock)  at  the 
head  of  his  men  came  trotting  out  of  the  woods,  and  as  he 
struck  the  open,  gave  the  command  to  charge  and  the 
whole  band  broke  into  a  gallop  and  hurled  themselves  upon 
the  flank  and  front  of  the  astonished  foe.  They  stood  for  a 
short  while,  but  only  for  a  few  minutes,  then  gave  way  and 
fled  back  towards  Hamilton  pursued  by  Glascock  and  his 
men,  who  rained  bullets  among  them.  Not  far  from  the 
woods  the  road  entered  a  narrow  lane,  with  a  high,  steep 
bank  on  each  side.  Into  this  lane  the  panic-stricken  men 
jammed  themselves — men  and  horses  pressed  so  tightly  to 
gether  that  some  time  elapsed  before  they  could  get  for 
ward.  The  Colonel  sat  upon  his  horse  in  the  field  on  top  of 
the  bank,  his  eyes  flashing,  his  long  black  plume  tossing  in 
the  wind,  waving  on  his  men,  who  with  loud  cheers  followed 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  357 

up  the  chase.  When  the  retreating  Federals  reached  a 
piece  of  woods  close  to  Hamilton,  they  attempted  a  rally, 
and  for  a  few  seconds  there  was  a  hand  to  hand  fight  be 
tween  us.  Here  was  where  we  suffered  the  slight  loss  of 
men.  But,  again  breaking,  they  resumed  their  flight,  and 
some  of  them  never  stopped  until  safe  across  the  Potomac 
River,  some  25  miles  away. 

"  On  the  left  of  the  woods,  where  they  made  their  brief 
stand,  behind  an  osage  orange  hedge,  was  posted  the  in 
fantry,  and  but  for  their  fire  the  pursuit  would  have  been 
continued,  and  but  few  of  the  cavalry  would  have  escaped. 
Practically,  not  more  than  60  of  our  command  took  part  in 
the  fight,  as  owing  to  the  narrowness  of  the  road  the  men 
could  not  get  at  them  until  the  fight  was  over. 

"  When  they  made  their  second  stand  at  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  very  few  of  our  men  had  gotten  up,  and  for  a  brief 
space  those  engaged  fought  heavy  odds.  The  fight  was 
sharp  and  desperate  so  far  as  we  were  concerned,  but  the 
enemy  quickly  gave  way. 

"  Having  been  appointed  to  the  vacancy  in  Capt.  Sam. 
Chapman's  Company  (E)  in  place  of  Lieutenant  Martin,  who 
was  killed  accidentally  by  one  of  his  own  comrades,  and  my 
company  not  being  present,  I  acted  independently  in  this 
fight  and  had  good  opportunity  to  see  and  judge  of  the 
fighting  qualities  of  Mosby's  men,  and  came  to  the  conclu 
sion  that  the  conscientious,  brave  soldier  who  loved  the  fierce 
excitement  and  danger  of  battle  could  be  accommodated  as 
well  with  Mosby  on  the  Border  as  in  the  ranks  of  the  regu 
lars  who  followed  the  lead  of  Stuart.  And  the  impression 
then  made  upon  me  of  the  coolness,  presence  of  mind  and 
courage  of  Colonel  Mosby  has  never  been  effaced." 

When  the  Federals  were  crowded  in  the  lane,  Lieutenant 
Smith  was  near  the  Colonel  on  the  bank  and  fired  six  shots 
into  their  ranks.  Then,  following  Mosby,  he  galloped  along 
their  flank  up  to  the  woods,  and  was  soon  exchanging  shots 
at  close  range.  Spurring  his  horse  out  into  the  road,  he 
was  attacked  by  two  of  the  enemy,  one  of  whom  he  killed, 
when  the  other  wheeled  and  ran  off.  The  fire  of  the  infan 
try  then  became  so  hot  that  Colonel  Mosby  ordered  the 
men  to  fall  back.  Some,  not  hearing  or  heeding  the  order, 
went  through  both  cavalry  and  infantry  and  back  again 
safely  to  the  command. 

Fifteen    of    the    Federals    wrere    killed    and    a    number 


358 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


wounded,  some  mortally.     Thirteen,  including  one  lieuten 
ant,  were  captured,  together  with  15  horses. 

Our  loss  was  2  killed, 
James  Keith  and  Wirt 
M.  Binford.6  John  A. 
Chew,7  Ben.  Fletcher, 
Manning,  Shipley  and 
two  or  three  others 
were  wounded. 

Mosby  drew  off  his 
men  and  halted  in  a  field 
in  full  view  of  the  Fed 
eral  cavalry.  The  men 
cheered,  waved  their 
hats,  and  used  every 
means  to  draw  the  cav 
alry  away  from  the  in 
fantry.  Some  of  our 
men,  venturing  too 
close  to  the  enemy's 
lines,  were  fired  on,  and 
one,  Joseph  Griffin  was 
wounded  and  his  horse 
was  killed.  He  attempted  to  gain  the  shelter  of  the  woods, 
but  was  pursued  and  captured.8 

The  Battalion  being  ordered  to  meet  next  morning  about 
three  miles  from  Hamilton,  moved  off  towards  North  Fork. 
The  men  scattered  about  in  small  squads  and  remained  at 
farm  houses  in  the  neighborhood.  Pickets  were  placed 

6  Wirt   M.  Binford  was  a  youth  but  little  over  17  years   of  age.      His  body 
was  taken  to  Richmond  after  the  war  and  buried  in   Hollywood  Cemetery. 

7  John  A.  Chew  was  transferred  from  Chew's  Battery  to  Mosby's  Rangers 
in  November,  1864.     In  the  fight  at  Hamilton  he  was  badly  wounded  and  has 
never  been  able  to  walk  since;  otherwise  he  is  in  good  health. 

8  "While  engaged  in  equipping  and  disciplining  this  force  for  active  move 
ments,  either  up  the  Valley  or  wherever  it  might  be  ordered,  I  had  detachments  of 
cavalry  out  daily,  scouting  the  roads  south  from  Winchester  ;  and  with  the   in 
tention  of  destroying  supplies    said  to   be  collected  at  Upperville,  I    directed 
an  expedition  to  that  point  under  Col.  M.   A.  Reno,  of  the  Twelfth  Pennsylva 
nia  Cavalry,   composed   of  his  own  regiment  and  the  First    Regiment,   First 


COLONEL  MARCUS  A.  RENO, 

i2th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  359 

near  and  around  the  town  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  who  went  into  camp.  In  the  evening  a  heavy  rain 
storm  set  in  and  continued  all  night,  accompanied  with 
thunder  and  lightning ;  the  wind  blew  with  great  force, 
throwing  down  trees  and  fences.  Shortly  before  daylight 
the  storm  ceased,  and  the  sun  arose  in  a  cloudless  sky. 

Wednesday,  March  22. — The  command  met  at  Hatcher's, 
3  miles  from  Hamilton,  and  was  joined  by  the  Little  Fork 
Rangers,  Captain  Kincheloe,  numbering  25  men.  With  this 
reinforcement  Mosby  again  moved  forward  to  Hamilton, 
but  the  Federals  had  gone  to  Snickersville.  On  nearing 
that  place  we  learned  they  had  marched  on  to  Bloomfieid. 
Here  our  scouts  came  up  with  the  enemy,  and  for  a  time 
quite  a  brisk  fire  was  kept  up.  They  then  fell  back  toward 
Snickersville  and  went  into  eamp. 

Mosby  halted  on  a  hill  overlooking  the  camp,  and  again 
tried  to  draw  the  cavalry  away  from  the  infantry.  Failing 
to  do  this,  and  night  coming  on,  the  command  was  dis 
missed,  with  orders  to  meet  in  the  morning  before  sunrise  at 
Eure's  Mill,  near  the  turnpike. 

At  this  time  Company  A  was  under  the  command  of 
Sergeant  Corbin,  who  had  but  a  short  time  previous  been 
released  from  Federal  prison.  All  the  commissioned,  as 
well  as  non-commissioned  officers  of  our  company,  except 
Corbin,  being  either  killed,  wounded  or  captured,  the 
offices  were  filled,  temporarily,  by  privates. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  the  Federals  broke  camp  and 
started  before  sunrise.  Without  waiting  for  all  the  men  to 
assemble;  Mosby  moved  on  after  them  with  about  50  men. 
He  was  soon  joined  by  others,  until  his  force  amounted  to 
between  1 50  and  200  men. 

At  Upperville,  where  the  Federals  halted,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  cut  off  their  pickets.  Lieut.  Frank  Turner  was 

Corps,  under  Col.  Bird.  Col.  Reno  crossed  the  Shenandoah  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
and  encountered  the  enemy,  about  300  strong,  under  Mosby  at  Hillsborough. 
According  to  the  reports  received  by  me,  Mosby  drove  the  cavalry  back  in  dis 
order,  but  hastily  retired  when  he  met  the  infantry  skirmishers.  The  expedition 
returned,  having  accomplished  much  less  than  I  had  expected  it  to  do." — Gen 
eral  Hancock's  Report,  See  also  Appendix,  XXXIX. 


360  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

sent  with  a  squad  of  men  for  that  purpose,  but  being  seen 
before  he  was  near  enough  to  prevent  their  reaching  the 
main  body,  only  one  was  captured,  the  others  all  escaping 
into  town. 

As  the  Federals  proceeded  down  the  turnpike,  we  fol 
lowed  close  at  their  heels,  to  Middleburg.  As  they  would 
ascend  one  hill,  we  would  take  up  a  position  on  the  one  be. 
hind  them.  On  coming  to  Goose  Creek  the  infantry  crossed 
first,  the  wagons  and  cavalry  bringing  up  the  rear.  After 
the  infantry  had  crossed,  Mosby  attempted  to  attack  the 
cavalry  while  the  wagons  were  on  the  narrow  bridge,  when 
it  would  be  difficult  for  the  cavalry  to  get  over.  But  as  he 
moved  around  and  charged  on  them,  the  last  of  the  cavalry 
was  seen  dashing  over  the  bridge.  Finding  it  impossible  to 
separate  the  cavalry  from  the  infantry,  Mosby  thought  to 
charge  the  former,  and,  by  driving  them  into  the  latter, 
throw  both  into  confusion  ;  but  they,  probably  divining  his 
intention,  took  care  to  keep  the  infantry  at  all  times  be 
tween  our  men  and  their  cavalry. 

A  continual  fire  was  kept  up  between  the  skirmishers  on 
both  sides,  and  a  number  of  Federals  were  seen  to  fall  from 
their  horses.  John  H.  Foster,  of  Company  A,  was  wounded 
near  Middleburg.  At  that  place  Reno's  forces  turned  off 
from  the  turnpike,  taking  the  road  to  MountviUe,  where 
they  were  joined  by  a  large  body  of  cavalry,  which  had 
been  sent  up  from  Fairfax.  Toward  night  our  command 
was  dismissed,  Mosby  giving  orders  that  the  men  should 
not  sleep  in  houses  that  night,  owing  to  the  risk  of  being 
captured  by  searching  parties.  The  Federals  went  into 
camp,  and  the  next  day  pursued  their  course  homeward. 

Thursday,  March  30. — The  command  again  proceeded  to 
the  Quaker  settlement  in  Loudoun,  and  the  business  of  press 
ing  corn  was  continued.  A  detachment  of  Federal  cavalry 
yesterday  crossed  the  Potomac  and  picked  up  7  of  Mosby 's 
men,  3  at  Downey's  still  house  and  4  at  Waterford,  among 
them  our  Quartermaster,  Wright  James.  (See  Chapter 
IX). 

Among  those  who  had  attracted  the  notice  of  Colonel 
Mosby  in  the  fight  at  Hamilton  by  their  gallant  bearing  was 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


36l 


Charles  B.  Wiltshire,  a  veteran  in  the  regular  service.     He 

had  been  wounded  on  three  occasions  :  first,  at  Manassas, 

then  at  Kernstown,  and  again,  with  General  Rosser,  in  West 

Virginia.     The    last  was   a 

disabling    wound,    and    he 

was     retired.     When     he 

joined  Mosby  he  came  with 

one  crutch,  which  he  broke 

over  the  head  ol  a  Federal 

cavalryman  on   the   Valley 

pike  while  on  a  scout. 

About  the  latter  part  of 
March,  Mosby  told  Wilt 
shire  of  his  intention  to 
make  him  a  lieutenant  in 
Company  H,  which  he  pro 
posed  soon  to  organize,  and 
at  the  same  time  ordered 
him  to  take  a  few  men  for  a 
scout  in  the  Valley,  on  the 
Winchester  and  Potomac 
Railroad.  Wiltshire  accord 
ingly  started  on  the  3Oth  of 
March,  with  John  Orrick, 
George  Murray  Gill  and 

Bartlett  Boiling,  to  fulfil  his  mission.  On  the  road  he  met 
Philip  and  Robert  Eastham  ("  Bob  Ridley  ")  who  were  on 
their  way  with  a  message  to  Colonel  Mosby,  then  in  Lou- 
doun. 

Leaving  Philip  Eastham  to  deliver  the  message,  Robert 
Eastham  joined  Wiltshire  and  his  little  party.  They  went 
by  way  of  Berryville,  near  which  place  Eastham  and  Boi 
ling  stopped  at  a  house  to  make  some  inquiries,  while  Wilt 
shire,  Gill  and  Orrick  rode  on  ahead.  When  Fastham  and 
Boiling  reached  the  top  of  a  hill,  in  view  of  the  residence  of 
Col.  Daniel  Bonham,  they  saw  their  three  companions  dash 
ing  off  at  full  speed  toward  the  house,  while  two  Federal 
soldiers,  one  of  whom  they  afterwards  learned  was  Lieut. 
Eugene  Ferris,  of  the  Thirtieth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  were 


JOHN  H.  FOSTER,  CO.  A. 
Wounded  March  23,  1865,  in  a  skirmish  near 

Middleburg. 
From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the  War. 


362  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

running  from  the  house  to  the  stable.  Spurring  their  horses, 
they  galloped  on,  but  before  they  reached  the  gate  which 
led  to  the  stable  they  heard  a  pistol  shot  and  saw  Charles 
Wiltshire  fall.  He  was  at  the  stable  door,  with  his  pistol 
pointed  in  the  door.  Then  several  shots  were  fired  in  rapid 
succession,  and  as  they  went  through  the  gate  they  met  Gill 
and  Orrick,  both  of  whom  were  wounded.  Ferris  had  come 
out  from  the  stable,  and  unharmed  by  the  shots  of  Eastham 
and  Boiling,  secured  Wiltshire's  pistols  and  mounted  Wilt 
shire's  horse,  while  his  orderly,  in  obedience  to  his  command, 
mounted,  and  leading  Ferris's  horse,  the  two  started  for  the 
gate.  By  this  time  Boiling  also  was  wounded,  but  he  with 
Eastham  started  to  follow  the  retreating  Federals.  In  the 
road  Boiling  seized  the  orderly  and  pulled  him  from  his 
horse.  Ferris  turned  on  Eastham,  who  fired,  inflicting  a 
slight  wound  and  then  raised  his  pistol  to  knock  him  from 
his  horse,  but  Ferris  avoided  the  blow  and  set  off  in  the 
direction  of  his  camp,  followed  by  Orrick  and  Boiling. 
Eastham  endeavored  to  cut  him  off  by  getting  around  in  his 
front,  but  he  made  his  escape.  Eastham  went  back  to  look 
after  Wiltshire,  but  was  told  he  was  dying,  and  a  young 
lady  handed  up  his  belt  and  holsters.  Just  then  Orrick  and 
Boiling  came  riding  up,  shouting,  "  Get  out  quick,  Ridley  ; 
the  Yankees  are  coming!"  and  the  three  Rangers  started 
on  the  home  stretch. 

After  the  encounter  Gill  attempted  to  return  to  Upper- 
ville,  but  from  loss  of  blood  was  compelled  to  stop  at  a 
house  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Here  he  was  joined  by  his  cousin, 
John  Gill,  who  found  his  wound  a  serious  one.  Realizing 
the  danger,  John  Gill  started  for  a  physician  immediately. 
After  riding  all  night  he  returned  the  next  day  to  find  his 
cousin  a  corpse.  He  was  buried  in  a  little  graveyard  on 
the  mountain  side.  The  last  words  he  uttered  were,  <T  die 
at  least  in  a  good  cause." 

George  Murray  Gill  was  a  Baltimorean,  who  had  entered 
the  Confederate  army  in  the  early  part  of  the  war  and  had 
served  both  in  the  infantry  and  cavalry  before  his  transfer 
to  Mosby's  command.  He  participated  in  many  of  the  great 
battles  and  was  everywhere  conspicuous  for  the  highest 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


363 


qualities  of  a  soldier.  The  day  after  the  second  battle  of 
Manassas  he  received  a  severe  wound  in  a  skirmish  on  the 
Little  River  turnpike,  which  compelled  him  to  absent  him 
self  from  the  army  until  the  middle  of  November.  From 
that  time  until  after  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg  he 
served  with  Stuart's  cav 
alry.  He  was  taken  pris 
oner  at  Hagerstown  on 
the  retreat  of  Lee's  army 
and  spent  five  months  in 
prison,  first  at  Fort  Dela 
ware  and  then  at  Point 
Lookout.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  he  rejoined  his 
regiment,  from  which  he 
was  transferred  to  Mos- 
by's  Partisan  Rangers. 

JOHN  GILL. — In  making  up 
the  Company  Rolls  I  found  there 
was  some  controversy  as  to  his 
having  been  a  member  of  the 
Forty-third  Battalion.  In  a  little 
volume  of  personal  memoirs 
published  by  him  since  the  war, 
he  settles  the  question  himself  by 
giving  a  very  interesting  account 
of  his  experience  when  with  "Mosby's  Men,"  and  while  his  statement  does  not 
bear  out  the  assertion  that  he  was  actually  enrolled,  it  shows  that  our  claim  for 
comradeship  was  not  altogether  without  some  grounds  to  build  upon.  The 
short  period  he  was  acting  with  us  was  sufficient  to  show  that  he  possessed  all 
the  qualities  of  a  good  and  brave  soldier,  so  that  we  may  be  pardoned  for  giving 
expression  to  the  wish  which  was  father  to  the  thought  and  led  us  to  claim 
him  as  a  comrade. 

After  relating  his  experience  while  accompanying  Captain  Glascock  on  his 
raids,  he  adds: — "After  this  little  engagement  and  my  participation  in  the 
Harmony  fight,  which  took  place  a  few  days  later,  Captain  Glascock  suggested 
that  I  be  made  a  lieutenant  in  Baylor's  company,  then  organizing,  if  I  would 
remain  with  Mosby's  command.  It  was  quite  flattering  to  me  to  be  offered  this 
position  and  I  should  have  been  only  too  well  pleased  to  accept  it  and  serve 
under  so  gallant  a  soldier  as  Baylor,  but  I  was  still  under  orders  from  Gen. 
Fitz  Lee,  and  it  was  my  duty  to  return  to  that  command  at  the  earliest  possible 
moment.  I  was  particularly  desirous  to  be  back  with  my  old  cavalry  chief, 
and,  if  surrender  had  come,  to  surrender  with  those  with  whom  I  had  been 
associated  for  several  years." 


GEORGE  MURRAY  GILL,  CO.  D. 
From  a  war-time  picture. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

April,  1865 — Company  H  Organized — It  Starts  out  to  Distinguish  Itself— Attack  and  Rout  the 
Loudoun  Rangers — News  of  the  Fall  of  Richmond  and  Surrender  of  General  Lee— Captain 
Robert  S.  Walker  Sent  South  to  Learn  the  True  State  of  Affairs— Companies  A  and  B 
in  the  Valley— Capture  Pickets  near  Berry ville— Companies  D  and  H  in  Fairfax — Skirmish 
at  Arundels — Pursued  by  the  Eighth  Illinois,  they  Lose  Several  Men — The  Last  Fight  of 
the  War  in  Virginia  Ends  on  the  Banks  of  Bull  Run,  a  Stream  made  Memorable  as  the 
Scene  of  the  First  Great  Battle  of  the  War. 

On  the  5th  of  April,  at  North  Fork,  in  Loudoun  Count}7, 
Company  H  was  organized  by  electing  George  Baylor, 
Captain  ;  Edward  F.  Thomson,  First  Lieutenant ;  James  G. 
Wiltshire,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  B.  Frank  Carter,  Jr., 
Third  Lieutenant. 

Captain  Baylor,  though  but  a  youth,  had  already  won 
distinction  in  the  regular  service,  first  in  the  Stonewall  Brig 
ade  and  afterwards  in  the  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry  in 
which  he  had  been  promoted  to  a  lieutenancy. 

Lieutenant  Thomson  was  attached  to  Capt.  M.  D.  Ball's 
company  when  it  was  captured  in  Alexandria,  May  I,  1861, 
and  after  his  exchange  acted  as  guide  and  scout  for  Gen. 
J.  E.  B.  Stuart  until  the  Fall  of  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
Fifth  Virginia  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Colonel  Rosser.  In 
1864  the  Fifth  and  Fifteenth  regiments  were  consolidated 
and  Thomson  afterwards  obtained  a  transfer  to  Mosby's 
command.  He  had  been  entrusted  with  many  important 
missions,  all  of  which  he  performed  in  such  a  creditable 
manner  that  he  was  deemed  worthy  of  the  position  to  which 
he  was  now  assigned. 

Lieutenants  Wiltshire  and  Carter  had  both  established 
reputations  in  the  command  by  their  gallant  conduct,  and 
their  promotion  was  regarded  by  all  as  a  fitting  recognition 
of  their  worth. 

After  the  election,  Colonel  Mosby  complimented  the  men 
on  their  choice  of  officers  and  told  them  they  could  now  go 
and  do  something  to  distinguish  themselves. 

364 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


365 


Captain  Baylor  moved  off  with  his  company,  numbering 
52  men,  through  Snicker's  Gap,  thence  along  the  Shenan- 
doah  river  to  Rock  Ford,  where  he  crossed,  swimming  the 
horses. 

Learning  that  the  Loudoun  Rangers  were  camped  near 
Halltown,  Baylor  was  not  long  in  making  up  his  mind  to 

give  them  attention. 
Reaching  their  camp, 
he  led  his  men  to 
the  attack  and  was 
soon  in  possession, 
capturing  45  pris 
oners  and  over  70 
horses,  together  with 
arms  and  camp  equi 
page.  Baylor  had  one 
man  w  o  u  n  d  e  d — 
Frank  Helm,  of  War- 
renton,  while  the  Fed 
erals  lost  5  or  6  killed 
and  wounded.1  (See 
Colonel  Clendenin's 
Report,  Appendix, 
XXXYIII.) 

About  this  time 
news  was  received  of 
the  fall  of  Richmond 
and  the  surrender  of 
Lee's  army.  This  cast 

a  gloom  over  all.  Some  were  hopeful  and  still  looked  for 
ward  to  something,  they  knew  not  what,  which  should  bring 
about  a  change  in  the  existing  state  of  affairs  and  lead  to  a  suc 
cessful  result.  The  rumors  of  recognition  and  intervention 
which  had  been  circulated  were  now  eagerly  caught  up  by 

1  "  On  the  6th  of  April  a  body  of  Mosby's  guerrillas  surprised  the  camp  of 
the  Loudoun  County  Rangers  near  Charlestown,  capturing  a  number  of  men 
and  nearly  all  their  horses." — Report  of  Major- General  W.  S.  Hancock. 

General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff  .•  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  April 'fi,  1865. 

Mosby  surprised  camp  of  Loudoun   Rangers  near  Keys'  Ford  and  cleaned 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  BAYLOR,  CO.  H. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  after  the  War. 


366 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


persons  who  in  despair  were  ready  to  give  credence  to  any 
thing-  which  might  afford  the  faintest  ray  of  hope.  Nearly 
all  were  astounded  when  they  heard  of  the  surrender  of 
Lee's  army,  which  was  looked  upon  as  the  shield  and  armor 
of  the  Confederacy.  So  often  successful  and  deemed  almost 
invincible,  it  was  conceded  to  be  a  hopeless  content  when  it 
had  failed. 

The  London  Times,  speaking  of  this  army,  said  : 
Not  even   the  Grand   Army   of    Napoleon  himself  could 
count  a  series  of   more    brilliant  victories   than   the  forces 
which,  raised  chiefly  from  the  high  spirited  population  of 
Virginia,  have  defeated  so  many  invasions  of  that  state  and 
crushed    the    hopes    of    so    many 
National     generals.       Chiefs     and 
soldiers   have   now   failed   for  the 
first    and    last    time.     They    were 
victorious    until    victory    was    no 
longer  to  be  achieved   by  human 
valor,    and    then    they    fell     with 
honor.     Theirs  has  been  no  gradual 
decay  in  courage  or  discipline,  no 
demoralization,  the  result  of   suc 
cessive  defeats.     What  they  were 
at    the    Chickahominy  and  Chan- 
cellorsville,  they  were  on  the  day 
when  the  overpowering   forces  of 
Grant  and   Sheridan  forced  them 
back  from  their  defenses  at  Peters 
burg.     If   Stonewall   Jackson   had 
been  alive  to  witness  the  ruin   of 
the  army  which   he  had  so  often 
helped  to  victory,  he  would  have 

no  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  its  conduct  in  its  latest 
hour. 

them  out.  Made  the  attack  about  10  o'clock.  I  have  sent  out  some  infantry. 
When  I  get  a  report  will  send  you  particulars.  Respectfully, 

JOHN  D.  STEVENSON,  Brigadier-General. 


LIEUT.  B.  FRANK  CARTER,  JR., 

CO.  H. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  during  the 
War. 


General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff  : 


Harper  s  Ferry,  April  6,  1865. 


The  force  that  attacked  camp  of  Loudoun  Rangers  was  a  part  of  Mosby's 
command.  They  captured  25  men  of  the  Rangers,  a  small  party  of  the  Fifth 
New  York  guarding  baggage;  also  some  horses.  The  number  of  attacking 
force  was  about  100  men.  They  crossed  at  one  of  the  upper  fords  of  the  Shen- 
andoah  and  recrossed  at  Keys'  Ford. 

JOHN  D.  STEVENSON,  Brigadier-General. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  .  367 

The  first  news  of  the  surrender  of  General  Lee  was  ac 
companied  by  a  report  that  Gen.  Joe  Johnson  had  defeated 
General  Sherman,  and  was  marching-  on  to  reinforce  Gen 
eral  Lee.  There  being  so  many  conflicting-  rumors,  and 
being  without  official  information,  Colonel  Mosby  sent  Capt. 
Robert  S.  Walker  with  a  few  men,  to  Gordonsville  to  learn 
the  true  state  of  affairs. 

Saturday,  April  8. — Command  met  at  Upperville.  Com 
panies  D  and  H  were  sent  off  to  operate  in  Fairfax,  while 
Mosby,  with  Companies  A  and  B,  marched  through  Ashby's 
Gap  and  crossed  the  Shenandoah  river  at  Burrell's  Island, 
swimming  our  horses,  as  the  river  was  very  high.  We 
halted  near  Ferguson's,  and  Colonel  Mosby,  taking  10  men, 
went  off  on  a  scout.  He  learned  that  a  division  of  cavalry 
was  camped  below  Berryville  ;  that  200  or  300  were  at 
Berryville  with  a  picket  of  8  men  on  the  road  above  the 
town.  Lieut.  John  Russell,  with  a  few  men,  approached 
these  and  was  ordered  to  halt. 

"  Oh,  pshaw  ! "  said  Russell ;  "  what's  the  matter  with 
you  ?  Don't  you  know  who  we  are  ?  " 

Russell  still  advancing,  the  picket  again  challenged,  and 
the  same  response  was  given.  By  this  time  Russell  was 
close  enough  to  see  the  men  sitting  around,  and  the  man  on 
post  cocked  his  pistol.  Our  men  then  rushed  forward,  firing 
into  the  group,  2  of  whom  were  killed,  3  wounded  and  3  cap 
tured,  with  7  horses  and  equipments.  We  remained  some 
time  within  6  miles  of  Berryville,  expecting  a  force  would  be 
sent  out  in  search  of  the  party  who  had  made  the  attack, 
but  none  came  and  we  moved  on. 

On  the  Qth  Lieut.  Albert  Wrenn,  Lieut.  Frank  Turner  and 
Edward  Hurst,  each  with  detachments,  were  sent  out,  but 
accomplished  nothing  of  importance,  and  we  all  returned 
to  Fauquier.  Lieutenant  Wrenn's  party  found  itself  in  close 
proximity  to  a  Federal  camp,  from  which  it  was  neces 
sary  to  depart  in  haste,  with  a  large  following.  When 
he  crossed  the  Shenandoah,  the  Federal  cavalry  ap 
peared  oh  the  opposite  shore,  but  made  no  attempt  to 
cross. 

Companies   D  and   H  were  less  fortunate.     Leaving  Up- 


368 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


perville  on  the  8th,  they  marched  to  The  Plains  and  dis 
persed,  with  orders  to  meet  next  morning1. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Qth  (Sunday)  they  met  and  remained 
at  The   Plains  until  afternoon,  when   Captain  Baylor  gave 
orders  to  march,  and  they  set  out  for  Fairfax,  intending  to 
capture  a  train  hauling 
wood    to    Alexandria. 
Rain  set  in  about  dark 
and  continued  all  night. 
On  the  morning  of  the 
loth,  learning  that  the 
train  would  not  come 
out,  Baylor  started  on 
his  return  to  Fauquier. 

The  Federal  com 
mander  at  Fairfax  Sta 
tion,  Colonel  Albright, 
was  apprised  of  their 
presence,  and  imme 
diately  despatched  a 
force  in  pursuit.8 
While  partially  dis 
mounted  at  Arundel's, 
Companies  D  and  H 
were  attacked  by  a  de 
tachment  of  the  Eighth 
Illinois  Cavalry,  under 

Captain  Warner.  Lieutenants  Thomson  and  B.  Frank 
Carter,  with  about  30  men,  charged  and  checked  the 
advance,  causing  them  to  waver,  but  seeing  our  men  in 
confusion,  they  rallied  and  drove  us  back.  In  the  retreat 
which  followed  a  few  determined  men,  among  them  Lieut.  B. 


JOSEPH  BRYAN,  CO.  D. 


2  HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  SEPARATE  BRIGADE, 

Fairfax  Cou;-t  House,  April  10,  1865. 
Lieut. -Col.  J.  H.  TAYLOR,  Chief  of  Staff ': 

COLONEL  :  The  detachment  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  which  went  out 
this  morning,  as  previously  reported,  from  Fairfax  Station,  met  Mosby's  bat 
talion  from  the  Northern  Neck,  under  Captain  Baylor,  and  as  usual  whipped 
it  like  the  devil.  The  Eighth  captured  a  number  of  horses  and  some  prisoners. 


MOSBYS    RANGERS. 


369 


Frank  Carter,  Lieut.  James  G.  Wiltshire,  Sergeant  Mohler, 
Joseph  Bryan,  Thomas  Kidd,  B.  B.  Ransom,  H.  C.  Dear  and  a 

few  others,  formed  a  rear 
guard  and  saved  many  from 
death  or  capture.  This  brave 
little  band,  for  four  or  five 
miles  of  the  chase,  exposed 
themselves,  with  reckless  dar 
ing,  to  save  their  comrades. 
Mohler's  horse  was  shot 
and  floundered  in  the  mud 
near  a  sharp  curve  in  the 
road.  With  the  Federal  cav 
alry  pressing  hard  in  their  rear, 
and  a  party  seeking  to  cut 
them  off  by  crossing  the  field, 
so  as  to  come  out  on  the  road 
in  their  front,  they  could  not 
get  him  up  behind  them,  but 
Wiltshire  and  Bryan,  each 
H.  c.  DEAR  co  D  3  taking  one  of  Mohler's  hands, 

carried    him    along    between 

their  horses  until  they  overtook  a  riderless   horse,  which 
they  caught  and  gave  to  Mohler,  and  then  turned  to  fire  on 

Had  a  few  men  wounded  and  half  a  dozen  horses  killed.    A  detailed  report  will 
be  made  as  soon  as  practicable.  WM.  GAMBLE, 

Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 

April  10,  1865. 
Colonel  GAMBLE  : 

I  have  just  come  into  camp  from  a  fight  with  a  battalion  of  Mosby's  Men 
under  command  of  Captain  Baylor.  I  whipped  him  like  thunder,  captured 
a  number  of  horses  and  some  provisions.  Had  a  few  men  wounded  and  half 
a  dozen  horses  killed.  Will  send  a  full  account  at  an  early  hour. 

CHAS.  ALBRIGHT,  Colonel. 

3  In  his  letter  enclosing  pictures  of  himself  and  J.  W.  Dear,  Mr.  H.  C.  Dear 
wrote  :  "  I  send  you  a  picture  taken  in  Waterford  a  few  days  after  the  fight  at 
Hamilton.  I  was  with  a  little  scouting  party.  We  entered  the  town  and  took 
turns  standing  guard  while  each  had  his  picture  taken,  and  then  raced  from  the 
town,  pursued  by  Means'  Men. 

"  My  brother  J.    W.    Dear  and  Tom   King  were  captured  by  Means'  Men 


3/0  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

the  party  seeking  to  cut  them  off.  After  Wiltshire  delivered 
his  fire,  he  saw  the  horse  which  they  had  given  to  Mohler 
pass  by  without  a  rider,  and  saw  that  Mohler  was  a  prisoner, 
having  been  captured  before  he  could  mount. 

The  halter  strap  on  Captain  Baylor's  horse  got  loose,  and 
as  the  frightened  beast  plunged  madly  on,  it  was  trailing 
under  foot,  tripping  the  animal.  Young  H.  C.  Dear,  seeing 
his  leader's  dilemma,  spurred  on  and  secured  the  strap  so 
that  it  would  not  interfere  with  the  horse's  movements. 

Besides  Mohler,  the  Federals  captured  Thomas  F.  Harney, 
of  the  Torpedo  Bureau,  on  Special  Duty  with  Mosby,  Rich 
ard  McVey,  Edward  Heffiebower  and  Samuel  Rogers. 
McVey  was  badly  wounded. 

The  Federals  continued  the  pursuit  until  they  reached 
Wolf  Run  Shoals ;  and  here  ended  the  last  fight  of  the  war 
in  Virginia.4 

near  our  home  in  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Gilead,  in  February,  1865.  They  were  be 
trayed  by  a  treacherous  negro.  They  had  just  decked  themselves  out  in  their 
new  $200  suits  smuggled  from  Baltimore,  to  call  on  some  ladies  in  Leesburg, 
when  the  enemy  came  upon  them.  They  took  to  the  woods,  but  finding  escape 
impossible,  made  a  stand-up  fight  before  surrendering.  Willie  had  previously 
been  shot  in  the  leg.  For  their  gallant  resistance  they  were  sent  to  Fort  Mc- 
Henry,  not  to  be  exchanged  during  the  war. 

"  I  went  to  Captain  Glascock  after  I  saw  my  brother  captured,  and  asked 
to  be  allowed  to  take  his  place  in  Company  D.  He  refused  on  account  of 
my  youth  (I  was  then  but  a  school-boy),  but  finally  gave  me  permission  to  go 
with  the  Company,  which  I  did,  up  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Through  the 
kindness  of  the  men  I  was  given  a  place  behind  my  big  cousin,  Charlie  Dear, 
which  always  brought  me  in  the  second  or  third  'fours '  in  time  of  danger." 


4  April  10,  1865. — Skirmish  near  Burke 's  Station  and  at  ArundeFs  Farm, 
Va. — Report  of  Col.  Charles  Albright,  Two  hundred  and  Second  Penn- 
svlvania  Infantry,  Commanding  Post  at  Fairfax  Station. 

April  10,  1865 
Captain  WICKRRSHAM  : 

CAPT  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  this  morning  I  received  information 
through  a  source  I  consider  reliable,  that  a  force  of  rebel  cavalry  was  south  of 
this  post,  moving  toward  Burke's  Station,  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  trains 
at  work  there.  I  immediately  ordered  out  all  of  the  cavalry  I  have  under  my 
command  and  started  in  the  direction  indicated.  About  3  miles  from  here  I 
came  upon  the  trail  of  the  enemy  and  followed  it  toward  Burke's  Station,  in 
the  neighborhood  of  which  place  some  shots  were  exchanged  between  the 
enemy  and  a  detachment  of  Company  K,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  The  rebels, 
upon  being  discovered,  beat  back  into  the  woods,  and  upon  my  recovering  of  the 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  .  3/1 

Lieutenant  Wiltshire,  calling  my  attention  to  this  circum 
stance,  remarked  : 

"  Has  it  never  struck  you  as  being  a  notable  fact  that  the 
first  big  fight  of  the  war  occurred  on  Bull  Run  and  the  last 

trail,  again  followed,  taking  with  me  Lieutenant  Hupp's  command.  At  Arundel's 
I  discovered  them  formed  in  line,  and  behind  the  house,  barn  and  fences.     I 

ordered  my  men  into  line  as  rapidly  as  I 
could,  advanced  and  opened  fire.  The 
rebels  broke  and  I  charged  after  them. 
We  drove  them  to  Wolf  Run  Shoals  and  saw 
their  rear  cross.  I  did  not  deem  it  prudent 
to  follow  any  further,  from  the  fact  that  our 
horses  were  pretty  well  exhausted  and  the 
column  pretty  well  scattered  along  the 
road  The  enemy's  force  was  a  battalion 
of  Mosby's  command,  Companies  D  and 
H,  Captain  Baylor  in  command — Captain 
Briscoe  was  in  command  of  Company  D — 
numbering  altogether  about  150  men. 
They  started  from  Upperville  Saturday 
morning  last. 

The  casualties  are  as  follows  :  Company 

A  •  G,  2  men  slightly  wounded,  3  horses  killed 

<          and    3    wounded.     Company   H,   I    horse 

LIEUT.  JAMES  G.  WILTSHIRE,          killed.     Company  K,  I  horse  killed  and  i 

CO-  H  wounded. 

From  a  War-time  Picture.  List   of    prisoners   and    property   capt 

ured  :   Richard  McVey  (wounded  severely), 

Edward  Hefflebower,  Thomas  F.  Harney,  Engineer  Bureau,  Lieutenant  Com 
pany  F,  Sixth  Missouri — brought  ordnance  to  Colonel  Mosby  and  joined  his 
command  ;  First  Sergeant  David  G.  Mohler,  Company  H,  Samuel  Rogers.  Six 
horses  captured.  Six  or  8  horses  killed  ;  7  complete  sets  of  horse  equipments. 
The  road  from  Mr.  Arundel's  to  Wolf  Run  Shoals  was  strewn  with  blankets, 
hats,  caps,  etc.  I  have  no  doubt  a  number  of  the  enemy  were  wounded  and 
probably  some  killed  that  were  got  away  through  the  woods. 

I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  gallantry  of  Captain  Warner,  Lieutenants 
Brooks  and  Hupp,  and  also  of  their  men.  It  is  also  my  duty  to  add  that  the 
information  was  brought  me  from  Arundel's,  a  heretofore  suspected  rebel  fam 
ily.  Shall  I  send  the  prisoners  over  ? 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  ALBRIGHT, 

Col.  202d  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Vols. ,  Commanding  Post. 
[Indorsement.] 

HDQRS.  SEPARATE  BRIGADE, 
Fairfax  C.  H.,  April  10,  1865, 

Respectfully  forwarded  to  department  headquarters. 
Credit  is  due  to  Colonel  Albright  for  his  energy  in  obtaining  the  information 


372  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

shots  of  the  war  in  Virginia  were  fired  on  the  banks  of  that 
same  stream  ?  " 

And  it  was  Wiltshire's  lot  to  shoot  the  last  man  who  was 
wounded  in  this  fight. 

and  especially  to  Captain  Warner,  who  commanded  and  led  the  detachment 
Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  in  his  usual  way.  Captain  Warner  is  and  always  has 
been  an  excellent  fighting  officer  and  is  eminently  worthy  of  his  position  and 
the  regiment  he  belongs  to. 

W.  GAMBLE,  Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 


Washington,  April 11,  1865. 
General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff  : 

A  scout  just  in  reports  that  Mosby  with  one  battalion  crossed  the  Blue 
Ridge  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley  April  8th,  to  prey  upon  trains.  An  affair 
between  another  portion  of  Mosby 's  force  and  a  detachment  of  Eighth  Illinois 
cavalry  occurred  April  loth,  near  Burke's  Station.  Five  of  Mosby's  men 
killed.  Our  loss,  2  slightly  wounded.  C.  C.  AUGUR,  Major-General. 


Fairfax  Court  House,  April  11,  1865. 
Major-General  AUGUR,  Commanding,  etc.: 

GENERAL  :  The  captured  prisoners  stated  that  they  did  not  belong  to 
Chapman's  command,  but  were  sent  by  Mosby  to  capture  the  quartermaster's 
animals  at  Burke's  Station,  and  that  Chapman  himself  is  expected  in  this 
vicinity  every  day.  From  the  conflicting  accounts  that  have  reached  me  I  am 
led  to  believe  that  Mosby's  entire  command  consists  of  2  battalions  of  4  com 
panies  each,  and  2  additional  companies,  newly  organized,  10  companies  in  all, 
numbering  between  800  and  1,000  men.  That  4  companies  under  Mosby  him 
self  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  on  Saturday  to  plunder  weak  guarded  trains  south 
of  Winchester.  One  company  sent  to  Maryland  to  plunder  banks;  one  com 
pany  sent  to  steal  horses  from  my  lines,  beside  the  battalion  from  Northern 
Neck.  W.  GAMBLE,  Colonel  Commanding  Brigade . 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

April,  1865 — Companies  C,  E,  F  and  G  Return  from  Northern  Neck— General  Hancock  Calls  on 
Colonel  Mosby  to  Surrender  with  his  Command — Circular  Issued  by  General  Hancock — 
Colonel  Chapman  Sent  to  the  Valley  with  a  Flag  of  Truce— A  Truce  Between  the  Federals 
and  "Mosby's  Men" — Arranging  for  Surrender— Correspondence  Between  Mosby  and 
the  Federals— Colonel  Mosby  Visits  Millwood  and  Confers  with  the  Officers  Sent  by 
General  Hancock  to  Meet  Him. 

The  companies  which  had  been  sent  to  the  Northern  Neck 
to  winter  now  returned,  having  done  very  little  except  to 
recruit  their  horses.1 

At  one  time  a  large  force  of  infantry,  with  about  250  cav 
alry,  prepared  to  make  an  extensive  raid  through  that  sec- 
lion  of  Westmoreland  County  where  Mosby's  men  were 
quartered.  While  on  the  march,  Capt.  Samuel  Chapman 
made  an  attack  on  their  rear  and  after  a  sharp  engagement, 
in  which  a  number  of  the  Federals  were  killed  and  wounded, 
they  retreated  and  the  force  was  taken  on  transports  to 
Point  Lookout.  Captain  Chapman  was  wounded  and  John 
Horsley  had  his  nurse  t>uoc.  At  the  time  of  the  fight  the 
night  was  so  dark  that  it  was  hard  to  distinguish  friend 
from  foe.  (See  Col.  Chapman's  account  in  Appendix.) 

1  HEADQUARTERS,  March  27,  1865. 
Col.  JOHN  S.  MOSBY  (Care  Major  Boyle)  : 

Collect  your  command  and  watch  the  country  from  front  of  Gordonsville  to 
Blue  Ridge,  and  also  Valley.  Your  command  is  all  now  in  that  section  and 
the  General  will  rely  on  you  to  watch  and  protect  the  country.  If  any  of  your 
command  is  in  Northern  Neck,  call  it  to  you. 

W.  H.  TAYLOR,  Assist.  Adjt.  Gen. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

March  27,  1865. 
Gen.  J.  A.  EARLY  : 

From  reports  received  Sheridan  is  now  probably  on  Grant's  left.  I  desire, 
if  possible,  to  collect  cavalry  here  sufficient  to  resist  his  and  Gregg's  combined 
forces.  I  know  the  need  of  troops  with  you,  but  have  thought  you  might  per 
haps  spare  one  of  Lomax's  brigades.  If  so,  send  Lomax  with  it  to  this  point. 
If  one  is  sent  it  would  be  better  perhaps  to  retain  Imboden  in  the  Valley  where 
Lomax  is.  I  have  ordered  Dorsey's  (Maryland)  cavalry  from  Gordonsville  to 
Fitz  Lee  and  directed  Mosby  to  collect  his  command  south  and  protect  the 
country  from  Gordonsville  west. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

373 


374  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Capt.  Thomas  Richards,  of  Company  G,  charged  into 
Williamsburg  one  night,  driving  out  the  garrison  and  kill 
ing  and  wounding  some  12  or  15  Federals. 

Mosby  and  his  command  had  always  been  a  thorn  in  their 
side  and  the  Federal  authorities  were  in  a  state  of  uncer 
tainty  regarding  them,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  correspondence 
herewith.2 

2  WAR  DEPARTMENT,   Washington,  April  10,  1865. 
Lieut.-Gen.  GRANT  : 

Rosser  and  the  troops  operating  about  Loudoun  form  part  of  the  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia  reporting  to  Lee.  Are  they  included  in  the  surrender,  or 
only  those  under  Lee's  immediate  personal  command  ?  The  troops  in  Western 
Virginia  have  also  gone  as  part  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

EDWIN  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War. 


Prospect  Station,  April  10,  1865. 
Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War  : 

The  surrender  was  only  of  the  men  left  with  the  pursued  army  at  the  time 
of  the  surrender,  All  prisoners  captured  in  battle  previous  to  the  surrender 
stand  same  as  other  prisoners  of  war,  and  those  who  had  escaped  and  were 
detached  at  the  time  are  not  included.  I  think,  however,  there  will  be  no 
difficulty  now  in  bringing  in  on  the  terms  voluntarily  given  to  General  Lee  all 
the  fragments  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  and  it  may  be  the  army  under 
Johnson  also.  I  wish  Hancock  would  try  it  with  Mosby. 

_____        U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieut.-GeneraL 

Richmond,  April  10,  1865. 
Lieutenant-General  U.  S.  GRANT  : 

The  people  here  are  anxious  that  Mosby  should  be  included  in  Lee's 
surrender.  They  say  he  belongs  to  that  army. 

G.  WEITZEL,  Major-General. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  April  10,  1865. 
Major-General  HANCOCK,  Winchester,  Va.: 

The  Secretary  of  War  directs  that  you  will  have  printed  and  circulated  the 
correspondence  between  Generals  Grant  and  Lee  on  the  surrender  of  the  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia.  All  detachments  and  stragglers  from  that  army  will, 
upon  complying  with  the  conditions  agreed  upon,  be  paroled  and  permitted  to 
return  to  their  homes.  Those  who  do  not  so  surrender  will  be  brought  in  as 
prisoners  of  war.  The  guerrilla  chief,  Mosby,  will  not  be  paroled. 

H.  W.  HALLECK, 
Major-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

Winchester,   Va.,  April  12,  1865. 
Major-General  H.  W.  HALLECK,  Chief  of  Staff  : 

In  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  General  Grant,  I  yesterday  sent  a 
communication  to  Mosby  offering  to  receive  the  surrender  of  his  command  on 
the  same  terms  as  indicated  in  General  Grant's  dispatch  to  General  Lee.  I  have 
as  yet  no  answer.  It  is  quite  as  likely  that  Mosby  will  disband  as  that  he  will 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


375 


On  Wednesday,  April  i2th,  Colonel  Mosby  received  a 
despatch  from  General  Hancock,  commanding  the  forces  in 
the  Valley,  calling-  on  him  to  surrender  his  command  on  the 


MAJ.-GEN.  W.  S.  HANCOCK  AND  HIS  DIVISION  GENERALS. 
Gens.  Francis  C    Barlow,  David   B.  Birney  and  John  Gibbon. 


formally  surrender,  as  all  his  men  have  fine  animals  and  are  generally  armed 
with  2  pistols  only.  They  will  not  give  up  these  things,  I  presume,  as  long  as 
they  can  escape.  I  will  employ  the  cavalry  force  here  in  hunting  them  down. 

W.  S.  HANCOCK,  Major-General. 

HDQRS.  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  15,  1S65. 
Major  T.  W.  LUSK,  Charlestown,   Va.: 

Mosby's  Men  can  surrender  on  the  same  terms  as  Lee's  men  and  go  to  their 
homes.  It  is  only  necessary  that  they  deliver  up  their  arms  and  horses  and 
take  a  parole  not  to  take  up  arms  again  unless  regularly  exchanged. 

C.  H.  MORGAN,  Brevet  Brigadier-Central. 


37  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

same  terms  which  had  been  accorded  General  Lee  by  Gen 
eral  Grant.  At  the  same  time  a  circular  addressed  to  the 
citizens  in  the  vicinity  of  his  lines  was  sent  over  : 

HEADQ'RS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 
Winchester,  Va.,  April  10,  1865. 

The  Major  General  commanding  announces  to  the  citizens 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  lines  that  General  Robert  E.  Lee  sur 
rendered  with  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  yesterday  to 
Lieutenant  General  Grant  near  Appomattox  Court  House. 

The  arms,  artillery,  and  baggage  were  delivered  up,  the 
Confederate  officers  being  allowed  to  retain  their  side-arms 
and  private  property.  Officers  and  men  were  all  paroled 
not  to  take  up  arms  against  the  United  States  until  regu 
larly  exchanged,  and  were  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes 
once  more,  there  to  remain  without  molestation  from  the 
authorities  of  the  United  States  so  long  as  their  parole  is 
kept  inviolate  and  they  respect  the  laws  in  force  where 
they  reside. 

All  detachments  and  stragglers  from  the  Army  of  North 
ern  Virginia  will,  upon  complying  with  the  above  condi 
tions,  be  paroled  and  allowed  to  go  to  their  homes.  Those 
who  do  not  so  surrender  will  be  brought  in  as  prisoners  of 
war.  The  guerrilla  chief  Mosby  is  not  included  in  the 
parole. 

The  Major  General  Commanding  trusts  that  the  people 
to  whom  this  is  sent  will  regard  the  surrender  of  General 
Lee  with  his  army  as  Lee  himself  regards  it,  as  the  first  great 
step  to  peace,  and  will  adapt  their  conduct  to  the  new  con 
dition  of  affairs  and  make  it  practicable  for  him  to  exhibit 
towards  them  every  leniency  the  situation  will  admit  of. 
Every  military  restraint  shall  be  removed  that  is  not  abso 
lutely  essential,  and  your  sons,  your  husbands,  and  your 
brothers  shall  remain  with  you  unmolested. 

It  is  for  you  to  determine  the  amount  of  freedom  you  are 
to  enjoy.  The  marauding  bands  which  have  so  long  in 
fested  this  section,  subsisting  on  the  plunder  of  the  defense 
less,  effecting  no  great  military  purpose,  and  bringing  upon 
you  the  devastation  of  your  homes,  must  no  longer  find 
shelter  and  concealment  among  you.  Every  outrage  com 
mitted  by  them  will  be  followed  by  the  severest  infliction, 
and  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  Major  General  Commanding  to 
destroy  utterly  the  haunts  of  these  bands  if  their  depreda 
tions  are  continued.  W.  S.  HANCOCK, 

Major-General  U.  S.    Vols. 

Official :  GEORGE  LEE,  Asst.  Adjt.  G -//. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  377 

A  circular  was  also  received  which  had  been  issued  by 
General  Augur,  declaring  Mosby  an  outlaw ;  that  "  the 
guerrilla  chief,  Mosby,  would  not  be  paroled  under  any  cir 
cumstances." 

General  Hancock  sent  the  following  communication  to 
Colonel  Mosby : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  //,  1865. 
Col.  JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  Commanding  Partisans : 

COLONEL  :  I  am  directed  by  Major-General  Hancock  to 
inclose  to  you  copies  of  letters  which  passed  between  Gen 
erals  Grant  and  Lee  on  the  occasion  of  the  surrender  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  Major-General  Hancock  is 
authorized  to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  forces  under  your 
command  on  the  same  conditions  offered  to  General  Lee, 
and  will  send  an  officer  of  equal  rank  with  yourself  to  meet 
you  at  any  point  and  time  you  may  designate,  convenient 
to  the  lines,  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  details,  should  you 
conclude  to  be  governed  by  the  example  of  General  Lee. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  H.  MORGAN, 
Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

In  reply  Colonel  Mosby  now  despatched  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Chapman,  Dr.  A.  Monteiro,  Surgeon  of  our  com 
mand,  Adjutant  William  H.  Mosby  and  Capt.  Walter  E. 
Frankland,  under  flag  of  truce,  with  the  following  letter  : 

April  15,  1865. 
Major-General  W.  S.  HANCOCK,  Commanding,  Etc.: 

GENERAL  :  I  am  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  your  chief  of 
staff,  Brigadier-General  Morgan,  enclosing  copies  of  corres 
pondence  between  Generals  Grant  and  Lee,  and  informing 
me  that  you  would  appoint  an  officer  of  equal  rank  with 
myself  to  arrange  details  for  the  surrender  of  the  forces 
under  my  command.  As  yet  I  have  no  notice,  through  any 
other  source,  of  the  facts  concerning  the  surrender  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  nor,  in  my  opinion,  has  the 
emergency  yet  arisen  which  would  justify  the  surrender  of 
my  command.  With  no  disposition,  however,  to  cause  the 
useless  effusion  of  blood,  or  to  inflict  on  a  war-worn  popula 
tion  any  unnecessary  distress,  I  am  ready  to  agree  to  a  sus 
pension  of  hostilities  for  a  short  time,  in  order  to  enable  me 
to  communicate  with  my  own  authorities,  or  until  I  can  ob- 


378  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

tain  sufficient  intelligence  to  determine  my  future  action. 
Should  you  accede  to  this  proposition,  I  am  ready  to  meet 
any  person  you  may  designate  to  arrange  the  terms  of  an 
armistice.3 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  Colonel  C.  S.  A. 

Dr.  Monteiro,  in  his  interesting  volume  of  "  Reminiscen 
ces,"  gives  the  following  account  of  the  interview  with  Gen 
eral  Hancock : 

"  We  passed  into  the  hall  of  a  large  brick  house  and  were 
informed  that  the  General  was  in  his  room,  and  would  soon 
grant  us  an  audience.  We  were  introduced  to  his  adjutant, 
whom  we  found  a  very  agreeable  and  pleasant  fellow.'  In  a 
few  moments'  conversation  with  this  polite  officer,  we  were 
much  impressed  with  his  good  manners  and  obliging  disposi 
tion.  He  sent  a  messenger  to  the  General's  room  to  inform 
him  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chapman  and  Surgeon  Mon 
teiro,  of  Mosby's  command,  were  waiting  to  see  him.  We 
had  no  well-digested  plan  of  action  in  the  event  the  General 
refused  our  petition,  and  we  were  not  so  sure  he  would 
have  much  regard  for  our  flag  of  truce.  Indeed,  we  were 
really  at  the  mercy  of  our  old  enemy,  and  felt  no  certainty 
that  we  would  be  permitted  to  return.  While  conversing 
pleasantly  with  Colonel  Russell  and  the  adjutant,  General 
Hancock  walked  into  the  hall.  We  were  introduced  by 
Colonel  Russell.  Fourteen  eventful  years  have  been  gath 
ered  to  Time's  bosom  since  that  interview,  yet  I  have  a 
distinct  and  vivid  mental  vision  of  General  Hancock  as  he 
approached  us  and  cordially  grasped  our  hands.  There 
was  a  self-possession,  ease  and  benignant  dignity  about  him 
that  I  will  never  forget.  A  benevolent  expression,  illumined 
by  a  powerful  intellect,  spoke  volumes  of  meaning  from  his 
bright  and  handsome  face.  It  may  be  that  an  association  of 

3   Winchester,   Va.,  April  16,  1865. 
Major-General   HALLECK,   Chief  of  Staff  : 

I  have  this  day  received  a  communication  from  Colonel  Mosby  and  have  had 
an  interview  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chapman,  of  his  command.  I  have  no 
doubt  but  that  Mosby  will  surrender  his  whole  command  on  the  terms  given  to 
General  Lee.  Arrangements  have  been  made  for  a  meeting  at  Millwood  on 
Tuesday  noon,  when  I  expect  to  receive  the  surrender.  Meanwhile  Mosby 
agrees  to  refrain  from  any  operations  whatever,  and  I  have  directed  no  offen 
sive  operations  against  his  command  to  be  made.  They  are  aware  of  the  death 
of  the  President. 

WINF'D  S.    HANCOCK, 
Major- Gen.  Commanding. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


379 


ideas,  caused  by  receiving  kind  expressions  of  sympathy 
and  regard,  when  1  expected  a  harsh,  cruel  or  haughty  re 
ception,  impressed  me  so  favorably  with  this  true  gentle 
man  and  distinguished  soldier.  Be  that  as  it  may,  I  have 
never  met  a  man  for  whom  I  have  a  higher  regard,  or  more 
profound  respect  than  I  have,  even  at  this  date,  for  General 
Hancock.  I  had  never  before  felt  at  all  ashamed  of  my  old 
gray  uniform,  but  when  this  true  soldier  held  my  hand  and 
looked  kindly  and  squarely  into  my  face,  and  said,  in  a  firm 
and  earnest  voice,  "  I  sympathize  w'ith  you  in  what  you  be- 


DR.  A.  MONTEIRO, 
Surgeon,  43d  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry,  C.  S.  A. 


lieve  to  be  a  great  misfortune.  You  have  fought  bravely 
and  have  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of.  You  have,  like  gallant 
soldiers,  left  your  cause  to  the  god  of  battles,  and  the  arbit 
rament  of  the  sword  has  decided  against  you.  Let  us  once 
more  kneel  down  at  the  same  altar,  and  be  like  brothers  of 
the  same  household,"  I  felt,  I  suppose,  as  the  Prodigal  Son 
ought  to  have  felt,  when  he  dropped  the  corn  husks  and 
abandoned  his  riotous  living,  to  return  once  more  to  the 
home  of  his  father.  On  finding  such  a  man  as  General 
Hancock,  a  great  leader,  an  accomplished  officer  and  a  per 
fect  gentleman,  against  us,  I,  for  the  first  time,  encountered 


380 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


a  doubt  as  to  the  righteousness  of  our  cause.  This  noble 
old  hero  was  so  kind,  considerate  and  gentle  in  his  manner 
to  us,  when  we  had  so  little  to  expect  of  him,  that  he  con 
quered  me  more  effectually  by  his  manly  sympathy  and 
noble  sentiments  than  could  have  been  done  by  brute  force 
and  military  despotism." 

In  reply  to  Colonel  Mosby's  communication,  General 
Hancock  sent  the  following  : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION,  } 
Winchester,  Va.,  April  16,  1865.      \ 

To  Colonel  JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  C.  S.  A. 

COLONEL:  Major-General  Hancock  directs  me  to  ac 
knowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  by  the  hand 

of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chap 
man,  of  the  1 5th  instant,  in 
reply  to  mine  of  the  nth. 
The  General  does  not  think 
it  necessary  to  designate  an 
officer  to  meet  you  to  arrange 
an  armistice,  as  you  suggest. 
Understanding,  however, 
your  motives  in  hesitating 
to  surrender  your  command 
without  definite  intelligence 
from  your  former  superiors, 
the  General  is  very  willing 
to  allow  a  reasonable  time 
for  you  to  acquire  the  infor 
mation  you  desire.  It  is  not 
practicable  for  you  to  com 
municate  with  General  Lee, 
as  he  is  no  longer  in  authority. 
Lieutenant  -  Colonel  Chap- 
mtf  man,  the  bearer  of  your 

communication,  has  been 
furnished  with  such  evidence 
as  will  undoubtedly  satisfy 
you  that  further  resistance 
on  the  part  of  your  command  can  result  in  no  good  to  the 
cause  in  which  you  have  been  engaged. 

4  Robert  Chew  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Mosby's  command,  in  April,  1864. 
He  was  then  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  was  badly  wounded  on  Christmas 
eve,  1864,  while  scouting  with  J.  West  Aldridge  near  Point  of  Rocks.  He 
rode  15  miles  after  being  wounded. 


ROBERT  CHEW,  CO.  D.« 
From  a  Photograph  taken  in  April,  1864. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS  381 

In  view  of  these  facts,  the  General  will  not  operate  against 
your  command  until  Tuesday  next  at  12  m.,  provided  there 
are  no  hostilities  from  your  command.  This  agreement  to 
be  understood  to  include  the  Department  of  Washington 
and  the  Potomac  River  line.  It  is  possible  some  difficulty 
may  arise  from  the  operation  of  guerrilla  parties  not  of 
your  command,  but  the  General  hopes  you  can  control  the 
whole  matter.  On  Tuesday  at  noon  the  General  will  send 
an  officer  of  equal  rank  with  yourself  to  Millwood  to  meet 
you  and  ascertain  your  determination,  and  if  you  conclude 
to  surrender  your  command,  to  arrange  the  details.  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Chapman  will  be  able  to  give  all  the  informa 
tion  you  desire  as  to  the  probable  terms. 

If  you  consent  to  the  above  arrangements,  please  notify 
Brigadier-General  Chapman,  at  Berryville,  as  soon  as  prac 
ticable.5 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  H.  MORGAN, 
Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

•  Secretary  Stanton  could  not  overcome  his  dread  of  these 
terrible  guerrillas  and  wrote  Hancock  as  follows  : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  April  16,  1865. 
Major-General  HANCOCK, 

Winchester,  Va. : 

In  holding  an  interview  with  Mosby,  it  may  be  needless 
to  caution  an  old  soldier  like  you  to  guard  against  surprise 

5  Washington,  D.  C1.,  April  16,  18C5. 
Major-General  HANCOCK, 

ll-'inchester,    Va.: 

Lieutenant-General  Grant  authorizes  you  to  give  Colonel  Mosby  and  his 
command  the  same  terms  as  those  agreed  upon  with  General  Lee.  It,  how 
ever,  is  to  be  understood  that  permission  to  return  to  their  homes  does  not 
include  former  homes  in  loyal  States  or  the  District  of  Columbia.  Persons 
from  those  places  must  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  get  special  permits  from 
the  War  Department  before  they  can  return. 

H.  W.  HALLECK, 
Major-  General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  16,  1865. 
Major-Gen.  C.  C.  AUGUR, 

Department  of  Washington  : 

General  Hancock  directs  me  to  inform  you  that  he  expects  to  receive  the 
surrender  of  Mosby 's  command  about  Tuesday  next.  Mosby  has  agreed  to 
suspend  all  hostile  operations  whatever  as  soon  as  he  can  communicate  with 


382  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

or  danger  to  yourself;  but  the  recent  murders  show  such 
astounding  wickedness  that  too  much  precaution  cannot  be 
taken.  If  Mosby  is  sincere,  he  might  do  much  toward 
detecting  and  apprehending  the  murderers  of  the  Presi 
dent.6 

EDWIN  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


his  men,  and  the  General  requests  that  you  will  pursue  a  defensive  course  as 
long  as  the  agreement  is  respected  by  Mosby.  The  agreement  includes  the 
whole  Military  Division. 

C.   H.  MORGAN, 
Brevet  Brigadier-General. 


Winchester,   Va. ,  April  16,  1865. 
Gen.  WILLIAM  DWIGHT  : 

The  commanding  officers  are  authorized  to  parole  Confederate  soldiers, 
Mosby 's  men  included,  when  they  come  to  these  lines,  on  the  terms  given  by- 
General  Grant.  While  the  strict  ruling  required  that  private  horses  which  have 
been  used  for  the  Government  purposes  should  be  delivered  up,  the  General 
will  not  require  this  as  a  condition  to  the  surrender.  It  is,  however,  desirable 
that  all  horses  that  formerly  belonged  to  the  United  States  should  be  required. 
After  being  paroled,  the  prisoners  will  be  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes.  The 
arms  of  the  men  must  be  given  up,  unless  they  give  evidence  to  show  that  they 
have  been  lost,  not  secreted.  All  offensive  operations  against  Mosby's  men 
will  cease  until  further  orders,  as  negotiations  are  in  progress  for  the  surrender 
of  his  command.  Blank  paroles  of  the  prescribed  form  will  be  furnished  from 
these  headquarters. 

C.   H.  MORGAN, 
Brevet  Brigadier-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 


6  Winchester,   Va.,  April  17,  1865. 
Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON  : 

Although  I  have  consulted  with  two  of  Mosby's  officers  here,  I  do  not  intend 
to  meet  him  in  person  at  this  time.  General  Chapman  is  to  have  an  interview 
with  him  to-morrow  at  Millwood.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  Mosby  may 
surrender  his  forces.  His  proposition  was  to  suspend  hostilities  against  him 
until  he  could  hear  from  the  Confederate  authorities.  I  have  declined  to  enter 
into  a  suspension  of  hostilities  only  until  to-morrow.  One  of  his  men  came  in 
to-day.  If  Mosby  surrenders,  I  will  endeavor  to  ascertain  from  or  through  him 
something  concerning  the  matter  you  especially  refer  to  and  will  probably  have 
an  interview  with  him.  I  have  now  a  suitable  person  engaged  in  seeking  infor 
mation  of  that  kind  from  Mosby's  men.  I  thank  you  for  your  caution  to  me 
against  surprise. 

WINF'D  S.  HANCOCK,  Major-Genera/, 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


3*3 


The  following  instructions  were  given  General  Torbert : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  16,  1865. 
Brevet  Major-General  TORBERT, 

Chief  of  Cavalry  : 

The  Major-General  commanding  directs  me  to  inform  you 
that  Colonel  Mosby,  C.  S.  Army,  will  be  at  Millwood,  Tues 
day  next,  the  i8th 
inst.,  at  12  m.,  for  the 
purpose  of  arranging 
the  surrender  of  his 
command  or  defi 
nitely  declining;  with 
out  doubt  the  former. 
The  General  desires 
you  to  send  Briga 
dier  -  General  Chap 
man  to  meet  Colonel 
Mosby  and  conduct 
the  negotiations  with 
him.  If  Mosby  is 
ready  to  surrender  his 
command  on  Tues 
day,  the  General 
desires  General  Chap 
man  to  finish  up  the 
matter.  Blank  par 
oles  will  be  furnished 
him  in  sufficient  num 
ber  for  that  purpose. 

The    General     de 
sires  Colonel  Mosby  CORPL.  GEORGE  SKINNER,  co.  A. 
to  have  a  muster  roll 

of  his  command,  a  duplicate  of  which  is  to  be  retained  by 
General  Chapman.  The  officers  and  men  are  to  be  paroled 
individually,  in  duplicate,  the  duplicate  forms  being  for 
warded  to  the  Provost-Marshal  at  these  Headquarters.  The 
enlisted  men  are  to  turn  in  their  arms  and  all  Confederate 
States'  horses  or  horses  formerly  belonging  to  the  United 
States.  The  General  will  not  demand  the  surrender  of 
their  private  animals.  If  Colonel  Mosby  has  any  artillery 
or  public  transportation  (captured  or  otherwise)  it  is  to  be 
included  in  the  surrender.  The  paroles  being  given,  the 
officers  and  men  will  be  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes. 
The  Major-General  Commanding  wishes  General  Chapman 


384  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

to  impress  very  clearly  upon  Colonel  Mosby's  mind  the 
great  necessity  that  with  this  surrender  all  guerrilla  opera 
tions  should  cease.  There  are  known  to  be  some  independ 
ent  parties  operating  from  the  vicinity  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
and  it  will  be  for  the  interest  of  Mosby's  men  to  hunt  them 
out,  as  they  can  only  bring  further  distress  upon  the  people. 
It  would  also  be  well  for  General  Chapman  to  say  that 
people,  refugees  from  the  country  he  has  occupied,  must  be 
allowed  to  return  to  and  remain  at  their  homes  unmolested, 
and  that  the  army  will  be  used  effectually,  if  necessary,  to 
secure  this. 

C.  H.  MORGAN, 
Brevet  Brigadier-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 

Monday,  April  17. — The  command  met  to-day  at  Salem. 
The  men  were  drawn  up  in  line  and  Colonel  Mosby  ad 
dressed  them.  He  said  they  would  disperse  until  further 
orders  ;  that  there  was  a  truce  between  us  and  the  Federals, 
and  that  for  the  honor  of  the  command  and  with  due  regard 
for  his  authority  he  requested  they  would  respect  it.  We 
were  then  dismissed. 

Tuesday,  April  18. — Colonel  Mosby,  with  a  number  of  his 
officers  and  men,  met  to-day  at  Paris  and  proceeded  to  Mill 
wood  to  confer  with  an  officer  appointed  by  General  Han 
cock,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  truce.7  He 


T  HEADQUARTERS  SECOKD  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 
MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

Near  Berryville,   Va. ,  April  18,  1865. 

Brevet  Brigadier  General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff, 

Winchester,    Va.: 

GENERAL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  agreeable  to  instructions  I  met 
Colonel  John  S.  Mosby,  C.  S.  Army,  commanding  Forty-third  Virginia 
Battalion,  to-day  at  Millwood,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  confer  with  him  touching 
the  surrender  of  his  command,  and  to  conclude  the  details,  should  he  have 
decided  to  surrender  upon  the  terms  offered  him.  He  declined  to  surrender  at 
this  time,  for  the  reason  that  his  command  was  not  in  immediate  danger  and 
that  he  had  not  such  information  as  yet  as  would  justif)-  him  in  concluding  the 
"  Confederate  Cause"  altogether  hopeless.  He  expressed  himself  as  anxious 
to  avoid  any  useless  effusion  of  blood  or  destruction  of  property,  and  desirous 
therefore  of  the  suspension  of  hostilities  for  a  short  time  until  he  could  learn 
the  fate  of  '*  Johnson's  Army."  Should  that  be  defeated  or  surrender,  he  said 
he  should  regard  the  "  Confederate  Cause  "  as  lost  and  would  disband  his 
organization.  He  does  not  propose  even  in  that  event  to  surrender  them  as  an 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


385 


reached  Millwood  about  a  half  hour  before  the  time  ap 
pointed  for  the  expiration  of  the  truce,  and  met  General 
Chapman  and  Staff,  with  a  number  of  Federal  officers,  await 
ing  his  arrival.  The  interview  was  conducted  with  mutual 
courtesy.  Colonel  Mosby  asked  an  extension  of  the  time  of 
the  truce,  to  enable  him  to  communicate  with  the  Confeder 
ate  authorities  or  learn  the  exact  condition  of  affairs  in  the 
South.  General  Chapman  stated  that  he  had  no  power  to 
alter  the  terms  fixed  by  General  Hancock,  but  would  assume 
the  responsibility  of  arranging  another  truce  to  expire  on 
the  2oth  of  April  at  12  m.,  and  would  also  submit  to  General 
Hancock  for  approval  the  following  agreement : 

organization  for  parole,  but  to  disband  the  battalion,  giving  to  each  individual 
to  choose  his  own  course.  He  informed  me  he  had  already  advised  his  command 
that  those  who  chose  to  do  so  could 
go  and  give  their  parole.  For  him 
self,  he  said,  he  had  no  favors  to  ask, 
being  quite  willing  to  stand  by  his 
acts,  all  of  which  he  believed  to  be 
justifiable  ;  and  in  the  course  of  my 
conversation  with  him,  he  remarked 
that  he  did  not  expect  to  remain  in  the 
country.  I  made  an  agreement  with 
him  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities 
for  forty-eight  hours  longer,  expiring 
at  noon  on  the  25th,  and  a  conditional 
agreement  for  a  further  suspension  for 
ten  days.  These  agreements  are  here 
with  enclosed,  and  I  will  inform 
Colonel  Mosby  of  the  action  of  the 
General  commanding,  as  soon  as  ad 
vised.  I  did  not  give  him  to  hope 
that  this  agreement  for  a  ten  days' 
suspension  would  be  concurred  in.  I 
regret  that  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of 
communicating  the  surrender  of  this 
force,  but  trust  my  action  in  the  prem 
ises  will  meet  your  approval.  The 
interview  throughout  was  character 
ized  by  good  feeling.  Perhaps  I 
ought,  in  justice  to  Colonel  Mosby 

and  his  officers,  to  state  a  universal  regret  was  expressed  because  of  the  assas 
sination  of  the  President. 

I  am  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  H.  CHAPMAN,  Brigadier-General. 


JOHN  T.  BEAL,  CO.  D. 

From  a  Photograph  taken  when  a  member  of 

Co.  C,  igth  Virginia  Infantry. 


386  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

"  A  cessation  of  hostilities  is  hereby  agreed  upon  between 
the  forces  of  the  United  States  commanded  by  General 
Hancock,  and  the  forces  of  the  Confederate  States  com 
manded  by  Colonel  John  S.  Mosby. 

"  This  cessation  to  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  General 
Hancock ;  if  approved,  to  be  in  force  for  ten  (10)  days,  com 
mencing  on  the  2Oth  of  April  at  12  m.  and  ending  on  the  3Oth 
at  12  m. 

"  Colonel  Mosby  to  be  notified  at  Millwood  of  the  ap 
proval  or  disapproval  of  this  agreement,  by  12  noon  of  April 

2Oth. 

"  Colonel  Mosby  to  use  his  authority  and  influence  to  pre 
vent  any  acts  of  hostility  being  perpetrated  or  attempted  by 
any  bands  or  organizations  of  Confederate  soldiers  operat 
ing  from  Loudoun  or  Fauquier  counties. 

"  This  agreement  is  made  with  the  understanding  that  in 
case,  during  this  interval,  the  army  opposed  to  the  army  of 
General  Sherman  shall  capitulate  or  be  dispersed,  Colonel 
Mosby  will  disband  his  organization  (the  43d  Virginia  Bat 
talion). 

"  GEO.  H.  CHAPMAN,  Brig.-General,  U.  S.  Vols. 
"  JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  Colonel,  C.  S.  A. 

"  Millwood,  April  18th,  1865:' 

General  Hancock  confirmed  the  extension  of  the  truce 
until  the  2Oth,  but  refused  to  grant  further  time,  as  will  ap 
pear  by  the  following  letter  : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION,  ) 

April  19th,  1865.      \ 

COLONEL:  .  Major-General  Hancock,  commanding  Middle 
Military  Division,  directs  me  to  say  that  he  has  confirmed 
the  extension  of  the  cessation  of  hostilities  until  noon  of  the 
2Oth,  arranged  at  Millwood  on  the  i8th,  between  Brigadier- 
General  Chapman,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  and  yourself ;  but 
General  Hancock  can  see  no  sufficient  reasons  why  the  ces 
sation  of  hostilities  should  be  continued.  The  truce  will, 
therefore,  cease  at  noon  on  the  2oth  between  the  forces  com 
manded  by  Major-General  Hancock  and  your  troops,  unless 
you  should  decide  to  surrender  at  or  before  that  time  on 
the  conditions  previously  offered  and  explained  by  Lieuten- 
ant-General  Grant,  which  are  enclosed. 

The  officer  bearing  the  flag  will  wait  at  Millw.ood  until  12 
m.  to  hear  your  decision.  Unless  you  then  announce  your 
immediate  surrender,  he  will  return.  In  case  of  your  sur 
render,  the  arrangements  will  be  immediately  perfected  at 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


387 


Millwood.  Truce  of  hostilities  in  such  case  will  only  refer 
to  that  point,  and  be  of  such  duration  as  only  to  allow 
time  to  prepare  and  sign  the  paroles  and  receive  the  public 
property.  After  the  expiration  of  this  truce,  General  Han 
cock  is  commanded  not  to  offer  you  or  your  men  terms 
again,  s 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  G.  MITCHELL,  Brevet  Colonel  and  A.  D.  C. 

To  Colonel  JOHN  S.  MOSBY,   C.S.  A., 

Commanding,  etc.,  Millwood,  Va.  . 

8   Winchester,   Va.,  April  19,  1S65. 
Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

Chief  of  Staff: 

Colonel  Mosby  asks  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities  for  ten  days  to  learn  the 
fate  of  Johnson.  He  says  if  Johnson  surrenders  or  is  beaten  he  will 
disperse  his  command 
and  leave  the  country. 
He  has  already  notified 
his  men  that  they  might 
individually  come  in 
and  be  paroled  if  they 
desire.  Some  of  them 
are  coming  in.  The 
officers  of  his  com 
mand,  15  or  20  in 
number,  yesterday  uni 
versally  expressed  re 
gret  at  the  death  of  the 
President.  The  people 
are  all  •  anxious  for 
Mosby  to  surrender. 
If  the  authorities  at 
Washington  think  it 
advisable  to  allow  a 
truce  of  ten  days,  I 
should  like  to  be  noti 
fied  to-day;  otherwise 
the  truce  will  end  with 
him  to-morrow  at  noon. 
W.  S.  HANCOCK, 

Major-  General. 


Washington, 
April  19,  1865. 
Major-Gen.  HANCOCK, 

Winchester,   Va.: 
If  Mosby  does  not  avail  himself  of  the  present  truce,  end  it  and  hunt  him 


FRANK  M.  ANGELO,  CO.  C. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


388  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

On  Thusday,  April  2oth,  Colonel  Mosby,  accompanied  by 
a  number  of  his  officers  and  men,  as  before,  proceeded  to 
Millwood.  The  officer  delegated  to  confer  with  him  handed 
Mosby  the  following  communication  from  General  Hancock: 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  19th,  1865. 

COLONEL  :  Major-General  Hancock  directs  me  to  say  to 
you  that  the  following  instructions  have  been  telegraphed 
to  him  in  reference  to  Confederate  officers  or  soldiers  who 
surrender  : 

"  Washington,  D.  C.,  April  19,  1865. 
"  To  Major-General  HANCOCK  : 

"  You  mav  receive  all  rebel  officers  or  soldiers  who  sur- 


and  his  men  down.     Guerrillas,  after  beating  the  armies  of  the  enemy,  will  not 
be  entitled  to  quarter. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant- General. 


Winchester,  April  19,  1865. 
Lieutenant-General  GRANT: 

GENERAL:  I  have  your  dispatch  concerning  Mosby.  I  have  already 
informed  him  that  there  would  be  no  more  truce  with  him  after  12  m.  to-morrow, 
and  if  he  then  surrenders  there  would  only  be  a  truce  at  the  point  of  surrender 
sufficiently  long  to  have  him  sign  the  parole. 

W.  S.  HANCOCK,  Major-General. 


Winchester,  April  20,  1865. 
Major-General  AUGUR: 

Major-General  Hancock  directs  me  to  say  that  the  truce  with  Mosby  ended 
at  noon  to-day.  He  did  not  surrender.  I  believe  his  command  will  disperse, 
but  it  will  be  well  to  be  on  the  watch  for  him. 

W.  J.  MITCHELL, 

Colonel  and  Aide-de-Camp. 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

April  20,  1865. 
Major-General  AUGUR, 

Commanding  Defenses  of  Washington  : 

GENERAL:  Major-General  Hancock  directs  me  to  say  that  Colonel  Mosby 
was  met  in  person  at  Millwood  to-day  at  12  m.,  when  the  truce  ended  with  him. 
He  stated,  and  it  appears  to  be  true  from  the  corroboration  of  Confederate 
officers  and  soldiers  who  have  surrendered,  and  citizens,  that  his  command  has 
disbanded,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  officers  and  soldiers.  The  Confederate 
officers  and  soldiers  and  citizens  are  hostile  to  him.  General  Hancock  will  hunt 
him  up  if  he  is  in  Loudoun  Valley.  The  worst  band  of  guerrillas  in  Loudoun 
County  (Mobberly's)  have  all  been  killed  or  surrendered. 
Respectfully, 

W.  G.  MITCHELL, 
Brevet  General  and  Aide-de-Camp. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  389 

render  to  you  on  exactly  the  same  terms  that  were  given  to 
General  Lee,  except  have  it  distinctly  understood  that  all 
who  claim  homes  in  States  that  never  passed  Ordinances  of 
Secession  have  forfeited  them,  and  can  only  return  on  com 
pliance  with  the  amnesty  proclamation.  Maryland,  Ken 
tucky,  Delaware  and  Missouri  are  such  States.  They  may 
return  to  West  Virginia  on  their  parole. 

"  U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant-General" 

I  am,  Colonel,  very  respectfully, 

C.  McK.  GROSER,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

Colonel  JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  C.  S.  A. 

Dr.  Monteiro  describes  this  final  interview  as  follows : 

We  met  at  Paris  a  half  hour  later  than  at  the  previous 
visit,  and  consequently  arrived  at  Millwood  almost  at  the 
exact  hour  that  the  second  truce  expired.  We  found  15 
Federal  officers  again  awaiting  us.  They  were  seated  in  a 
large  room,  called  a  parlor,  in  the  only  hotel  in  the  little  vil 
lage  of  Millwood.  Mosby  walked  in  rapidly,  followed  by 
20  of  his  officers.  Taking  a  seat  by  one  of  the  Federal  offi 
cers,  whose  name  I  have  forgotten,  he  entered  into  an  ear 
nest  conversation  with  him.  The  first  words  were  spoken 
in  such  low  tones  that,  though  sitting  near  them,  I  did  not 
hear  what  they  said. 

While  we  were  engaged  in  this  interesting  interview 
within  doors,  some  excitement  was  going  on  outside  The 
irrepressible  Hern  had  accompanied  us,  without  any  special 
invitation.  He  was  a  rough  diamond  in  his  own  way,  and 
did  not  recognize  the  difference  between  a  diplomatic  mili 
tary  mission  and  a  regular  raid.  Hern  had  formed  some 
acquaintance  with  the  Yankee  soldiers  immediately  on  his 
arrival,  and  his  ruling  passion  for  the  turf  prompted  him  at 
once  to  propose  a  horse  race  with  his  new  made  acquaint 
ance.  The  challenged  Yank  accepted,  and  a  spirited  race 
was  the  immediate  result.  Hern  had  a  vague  suspicion 
that  the  Yankees  had  planned  this  meeting  for  the  purpose 
of  capturing  Mosby  and  his  officers.  He  had  never  men 
tioned  his  suspicions  to  any  one ;  but  in  the  race  with  his 
Yankee  competitor  an  event  occurred  that  ripened  his  sus 
picion  into  a  certainty  true  as  "  proof  of  holy  writ."  Hern 
and  his  rival  turfman,  after  testing  the  speed  of  their  horses 
nearly  a  mile,  ran  into  the  solid  ranks  of  a  Federal  brigade. 
No  sooner  did  this  faithful  and  zealous  soldier  discover  the 
hostile  array  of  blue  uniforms  than  his  suspicion  of  foul  play 
became  a  fixed  conviction.  He  abandoned  the  race  and 
returned,  with  an  earnestness  and  speed  that  would  -have 


390 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


reflected  some  credit  upon  the  Knight  of  De  La  Mancha  in 
his  memorable  charge  upon  the  insolent  wind-mill.  Hern 
was  a  rough  but  ready  partisan.  Like  many  other  people, 
he  was  not  handsome,  neither  did  he  dress  well.  No  care 
ful  observer  would  ever  discover  any  very  striking  re 
semblance  between  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  and  my  fellow- 
soldier  Hern.  Yet  he  was  faithful,  reliable  and  earnest ; 
determined,  daring  and  brave.  When  he  rode  into  a  strong 
body  of  Yankee  cavalry  just  beyond  the  limits  of  Millwood 
he  felt  sure  he  had  made  a  far  more  wonderful  and  important 
discovery  than  Christopher  Columbus  or  Isaac  Newton  ever 
did.  He  came  back  breathless,  excited  and  alarmed  for  the 
safety  of  his  admired  and  beloved  leader.  Just  as  Mosby 
and  the  Yankee  General  had  entered  upon  the  most  inter 
esting  and  important  phase  of  their  mission,  with  the  strained 
attention  of  30  or  40  officers  bearing  upon  them,  eagerly 
catching  every  word  that  escaped  their  lips ;  just  as  the 
potent  and  grave  representative  of  Yankee  authority  an 
nounced  to  Mosby  the  fiat  of  his  omnipotent  judgment ;  just 


Key  to  group  on  opposite  page  : 

1.  Lee  Howison. 

2.  Lieut.  W.  Ben.  Palmer. 

3.  Lieut.  John  W.  Puryear. 

4.  Sergt.  Thomas  Booker. 

5.  Sergt.  A.  G.  Babcock 

6.  N.  V.  Randolph. 

7.  Lieut.  Frank  H.  Rahm. 

8.  Sergt.  Robert  B.  Parrott. 


9.   Thomas  Throop. 

10.  John  W.  Munson. 

11.  Col.  John  S.  Mosby. 

12.  Noel. 

13.  Charles  Quarles. 

14.  Walter  W.  Gosden. 

15.  Harry  T.  Sinnott. 

16.  O.  L.  Butler. 


17.   1.  A.  Gentry. 


I 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  391 

as  he  announced  the  imperative  decree  (looking1  the  subtle 
and  active  guerrilla  chief  full  in  the  face) :  "  The  truce  has 
ended  ;  we  can  have  no  further  intercourse  under  its  terms  " 
— at  this  moment  Hern  rushed  into  the  room.  With  frantic 
gestures  and  hasty  speech  he  reported  the  important  result 
of  his  personal  observations.  "  Colonel,  Colonel,"  he  ex 
claimed  ;  "  the  infernal  devils  have  sot  a  trap  for  you  ;  I  jist 
now  run  out  about  a  mile  and  I  found  a  thousand  uv  um  a 
hidin' in  the  bushes  !  They're  in  ambush!  Less  fight  um, 
Colonel  ;  darn  um  !  It's  a  trick ;  it's  a  trick  to  capture  us, 
by  God,  it  is  !  " 

Taken  altogether,  the  several  incidents  of  this  remarkable 
interview  in  the  parlor  at  Millwood  were  well  calculated 
to  test  the  moral  courage,  determined  pluck  or  military 
skill  of  any  leader.  With  the  significant  voice  of  the 
great  mouth-piece  of  Federal  power  imparting  the  irri 
table  intelligence  that  we  were  no  longer  protected  by  the 
flag  of  truce,  simultaneously  with  this  bad  news  came  the 
startling  apparition  of  the  rough  and  clumsy  Hern,  an 
nouncing  outside  perils  of  our  alarming  situation.  With  a 
look  that  I  shall  never  forget,  Mosby  sprang  to  his  feet,  in 
stantly  grasping  one  of  the  murderous  weapons  in  his  belt 
and  glaring  upon  the  Yankee  officers  with  an  expression 
that  reminded  me  more  of  a  tiger  crouching  to  spring  upon 
his  prey  than  anything  I  have  ever  seen  appertaining  to  the 
human  race,  he  said  in  a  loud  and  sharp  voice  : 

u  Sir,  if  we  are  no  longer  under  the  protection  of  our 
truce,  we  are,  of  course,  at  the  mercy  of  your  men.  We 
shall  protect  ourselves." 

With  that  inimitable  sign  and  gesture  that  so  often  had 
sent  his  gallant  followers  like  a  thunderbolt  into  the  serried 
ranks  of  the  foe,  he  led  the  way  with  long  and  rapid  strides 
to  the  door,  closely  followed  by  twenty  silent  but  as  deter 
mined  officers  as  ever  bore  a  military  commission.  It  was 
a  scene  difficult  to  describe,  but  never  to  be  forgotten. 
Every  partisan  was  well  prepared  for  instant  death  and 
more  than  ready  for  a  desperate  fight.  Had  a  single  pistol 
been  discharged  by  accident,  or  had  Mosby  given  the  word, 
not  one  Yankee  officer  in  the  room  would  have  lived  a 
minute.  With  Hern's  warning  voice  ringing  in  our  ears, 
we  mounted  our  horses  in  silence  and  Mosby  led  the  way. 
His  only  word  of  command  was  "Mount  and  follow  me." 
We  galloped  rapidly  from  Millwood  to  the  Shenandoah 
River,  closely  followed  by  a  cloud  of  Yankee  cavalry. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

April,  1865  —  Disbanding  of  "  Mosby's  Men  " — Mosby's  Farewell  to  his  Men — Parting  of  Old 
Friends  and  Comrades— To  Winchester  to  be  Paroled — Our  Reception  by  the  Federals 
—  Mosby  goes  South,  but  Finding  the  Cause  Hopeless,  Accepts  the  Situation  and  is 
Paroled. 

On  Friday,  April  2ist,  the  command  met  at  Salem  (now 
called  Marshall;.  The  men  came  in  slowly.  It  had  rained 
in  the  early  part  of  the  morning,  and  a  thick  fog  hung  like 
a  pall  over  the  face  of  the  country.  The  damp,  raw  air  did 
not  strike  the  feelings  with  a  more  chilling  influence  than 
that  which  was  sent  to  the  heart  by  the  gloomy  aspect 
which  every  object  seemed  to  wear.  Not  a  smile  was  to 
be  seen  on  any  of  the  faces  around — all  looked  sad.  Mosby 
was  walking  up  and  down  the  street,  occasionally  stopping 
to  speak  to  one  or  another  of  the  men  as  they  rode  in. 

About  noon  the  order  was  given  to  mount,  and  the  com 
panies  formed.  The  whole  command  was  drawn  up  in  line 
on  the  green,  north  of  the  town.  Well-mounted  and  equip 
ped,  the  men  presented  a  magnificent  appearance,  and  as 
Mosby  rode  up  and  down  the  line  he  might  well  feel  proud 
of  this  gallant  band,  whose  courage  and  devotion  had  stood 
the  test  on  so  many  occasions.  As  he  glanced  from  man  to 
man,  each  familiar  face  recalled  to  memory  recollections  of 
some  deed  of  daring,  some  hard  fought  field,  some  brilliant 
victory  or  some  trying  hour  of  defeat. 

When  all  preliminaries  were  arranged,  Mosby's  Farewell 
to  his  command  was  read  by  the  commander  of  each  squad 
ron  to  his  men  : 

Fauquier  County,  April  21,  1865. 
SOLDIERS  : 

1  have  summoned  you  together  for  the  last  time.  The 
vision  we  cherished  of  a  free  and  independent  coun 
try  has  vanished,  and  that  country  is  now  the  spoil  of  a 
conqueror.  I  disband  your  organization  in  preference 
to  surrendering  to  our  enemies.  I  am  no  longer  your 

392 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


393 


commander.  After  an  association  of  more  than  two  event 
ful  years,  I  part  from  you  with  a  just  pride  in  the  fame  of 
your  achievements,  and  grateful  recollections  of  your 

fenerous  kindness  to  myself.     And  now,  at  this  moment  of 
idding  you  a  final  adieu,  accept  the  assurance  of  my  un 
changing  confidence  and  regard.     Farewell! 

JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  COLONEL. 


GEN.  R.  E.  LEE,  C.  S.  A. 


While  the  address  was  being  read,  a  profound  silence 
reigned  ;  and  when  the  word  "  farewell  "  was  uttered,  it  fell 
like  a  knell  upon  the  ears  of  the  assembled  band.  They 
gave  Mosby  three  hearty  cheers  and  the  order  was  given  to 


394  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

break  ranks.  Then  ensued  a  scene  trying  to  all.  The  men 
who  had  fought  side  by  side,  who  had  endured  so  many 
hardships  and  passed  through  so  many  dangers  together, 
were  now  to  separate,  probably  never  to  meet  again.  Amid 
all  the  surrounding  gloom,  there  was  not  one  cheering 
thought,  save  the  reflection  that  they  had  done  their  duty. 
The  men  pressed  forward  around  their  officers  to  bid  them 
adieu,  and  soon  hardly  a  dry  eye  could  be  seen.  Strong 
men,  who  had  looked  unmoved  on  scenes  which  would  have 
appalled  hearts  unused  to  the  painful  sights  presented  on 
the  field  of  battle,  now  wept  like  little  children.  Mosby 
stood  beside  a  fence  on  the  main  street  and  took  the  hands 
of  those  who  gathered  around  him.  His  eyes  were  red,  and 
he  would  now  and  then  dash  aside  the  struggling  tears 
which  he  was  unable  wholly  to  suppress.  Men  would 
silently  grasp  each  other's  hands  and  then  turn  their  heads 
aside  to  hide  their  tears ;  but  at  last  it  became  so  general 
that  no  pains  were  taken  to  conceal  them.  It  was  the  most 
trying  ordeal  through  which  we  had  ever  passed.  A  num 
ber  of  ladies  who  had  assembled  to  witness  the  disbanding 
of  the  command  were  apparently  as  much  affected  as  we 
were. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  it  being  announced  that  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Chapman  intended  going  to  Winchester  to  accept 
the  parole,  and  would  meet  at  Paris  such  of  the  men  as 
wished  to  accompany  him,  about  200  men  assembled,  includ 
ing  Captains  Frankland,  Glascock  and  Samuel  Chapman ; 
Lieutenants  Nelson,  Puryear  and  other  officers.1 

Crossing  the  Shenandoah  at  Hilton's  Ford,  the  cavalcade 

1  Winchester,   Va.,  April  22,  1865. 
Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War: 

Nearly  all  Mosby's  command  has  surrendered,  including  nearly,  if  not  quite, 
all  of  the  officers,  except  Mosby  himself,  who  has  probably  fled.  His  next  in 
rank,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chapman,  surrendered  with  the  command.  He  is  as 
important  as  Mosby,  and,  from  conversation  had  with  him,  I  think  he  will  be 
valuable  to  the  Government  hereafter.  Some  of  Mosby's  own  men  are  in  pur 
suit  of  him,  for  a  reward  of  $2,000,  offered  by  me.  As  near  as  I  can  tell, 
about  380  of  Mosby's  men  were  paroled.  Colonel  Reno  has  paroled  about 
1,200  or  1,500  men  at  Newmarket,  and  has  sent  down  for  more  blanks.  Heave 
here  for  Washington  city  to-morrow  morning. 

W.  S.  HANCOCK,  Major-General.   . 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  395 

moved  on  toward  Winchester.  At  Millwood  we  were  halted 
by  the  Federal  picket,  but  after  a  little  delay  passed  on. 
About  2  miles  from  Winchester  we  were  again  halted  by 
pickets  for  about  20  minutes,  when  we  again  moved  on  until 
we  came  in  sight  of  the  camps,  about  a  mile  outside  of  town. 
Colonel  Chapman  with  some  15  or  20  men  then  went  on  to 
Winchester,  while  we  remained  until  the  Provost  Marshal 
came  out  with  our  paroles.2  By  the  Federal  officers  we 
were  received  without  any  manifestations  of  exultation ; 
their  manner  toward  us  was  gentlemanly  and  courteous. 

Many  of  the  men,  thinking  their  horses  would  be  taken 
from  them,  procured  horses  for  the  occasion  from  the  far 
mers  around — some  lame,  others  blind  and  the  majority 
afflicted  in  some  way.  After  taking  a  careful  survey  of  a 
group  of  Rosinantes,  one  of  the  Federal  soldiers  remarked  : 

"  These  are  not  the  horses  you  boys  have  been  chasing  us 
up  and  down  the  Valley  with  ?  " 

Another  jestingly  inquired  of  a  Ranger,  who  sat  quietly 
smoking  his  pipe  : 

"  Say,  Johnny,  when  were  you  paid  off  last  ?  " 

"  Well,"  replied  he,  "  not  since  we  ran  off  that  train  on 

2  "  The  surrender  of  General  Lee's  Army  to  General  Grant,  April  gth,  1865, 
rendered  further  preparations  for  moving  unnecessary.  A  force  was  sent  up  the 
Valley  to  parole  such  detachments  of  the  enemy  as  might  desire  to  avail  them 
selves  of  the  terms  proposed.  Mosby,  the  guerrilla  chief  was  at  first  excepted 
from  the  offer  of  the  parole  by  instructions  from  the  War  Department,  but 
afterwards,  by  direction  of  General  Grant,  he  was  tendered  the  parole  by  a  staff 
officer  whom  I  sent  to  meet  him  at  Millwood,  for  that  purpose,  but  not  receiving 
a  favorable  reply  from  him,  I  arranged  to  move  a  large  force  of  infantry  and 
cavalry  into  Loudoun  County,  which,  co-operating  with  a  force  which  was  to 
march  from  Washington  City,  would,  I  had  every  reason  to  expect,  break  up 
Mosby's  command  entirely,  as  I  had  accurate  information  as  to  their  haunts, 
habits,  places  of  concealment,  etc.  It  was  my  intention,  also,  at  the  same 
time  to  have  punished  severely  those  of  the  inhabitants  who  harbored  or 
assisted  him,  but  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  occurring  on  the  night 
the  force  from  Washington  was  to  have  marched  (i-jth  of  April,  1865),  the  move 
ment  was  temporarily  postponed,  and  before  preparations  to  put  it  into  opera 
tion  had  again  been  completed,  the  majority  of  Mosby's  forces,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Chapman,  came  into  Winchester  and  were  paroled  (April  21, 
1865).  Mosby,  and  a  few  of  his  followers,  refused  to  surrender  and  moved  off,  I 
was  informed,  in  the  direction  of  Lynchburg." — Report  of  Major-General  W.  S. 
Hancock,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding  the  Middle  Military  Division  Department  West 
Virginia  and  the  Middle  Department. 


396  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad"  —alluding-  to  the 
"  Greenback  Raid"  and  capture  of  the  two  paymasters, 
with  $168,000. 

A  Federal  officer  was  afterwards  sent  to  Millwood,  where 
a  number  of  the  men  went  and  were  paroled. 


LIEUT.-GEN.  U.  S.  GRANT,  U.  S.  A. 


After  the  disbanding  of  the  command  at  Salem,  Col. 
Mosby,  with  about  30  or  40  men/  started  South  with  the 
intention  of  joining  the  army  under  Gen.  Joe  Johnson  in 
North  Carolina,  if  it  was  still  in  fighting  trim. 

The  little  band  marched  down  to  Culpeper  and  thence 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


397 


to  Orange.  Here  Col.  Mosby  picked  out  seven  men  and 
told  the  rest  to  remain  in  the  neighborhood  of  Orange 
Court  House  and  Gordonsville.  With  these  seven  men 
Col.  Mosby  went  down  to  Mr.  Allen's  farm,  called  Tucka- 
hoe,  about  1 3  miles  above  Richmond  and  on  the  old  James 
River  Canal.  The  day  before  Mosby  reached  the  Allen 
farm  he  sent  John  Munson  into  Richmond  for  information. 
While  sitting  near  the  banks  of  the  Canal,  after  eating 
breakfast  and  giving  their  horses  a  square  feed  of  corn  and 
hay,  a  canal  boat  came  along.  There  were  two  or  three 
Federal  officers  sitting  on  the  deck  of  the  boat,  some  of 
them  reading  newspapers.  They  were  going  to  a  place 
called  Manakin.  Some  ne 
groes  were  troublesome  and  a 
regiment  had  been  sent  up 
there  the  day  before.  Col. 
Mosby  said  to  Palmer,  "Ben, 
drop  off  your  pistols  and  run 
down  on  the  towpath  and  ask 
one  of  them  for  a  paper." 
Palmer  did  so,  and  one  threw 
him  a  paper  and  said  in  a 
loud  voice,.' 'Johnson  has  sur 
rendered.  All  over  now." 

Munson  came  out  the  same 
evening  and  reported  the  same 
thing,  and  he  had  taken  out 
his  parole.  The  next  morning 
Munson  and  all  the  men  except  Palmer  went  into  Rich 
mond  Col  Mosby  and  Palmer  then  rode  up  to  Vest's 
where  there  were  a  number  of  the  men,  and  the  next  day 
all  started  for  Capt.  Walker's  home  in  Orange. 

From  Walker's  Col  Mosby  sent  Lieut.  Wiltshire  and 
John  Hipkins  to  Richmond,  to  Mr.  Palmer  (father  of  Lieut. 
Palmer),  to  have  him  see  Gen.  Canby,  who  had  charge 
there,  and  was  a  distant  relative  of  Palmer.  This  was  the 
Last  Scout. 

Mosby  being  refused  a  parole  insisted  on  the  men  leaving 
him  and  going  to  their  homes,  while  he  started  out  to  the 
vicinity  of  Lynchburg,  where  he  had  relatives  and  many 


BUSHROD  UNDERWOOD,  CO.  A. 

From  a  late  photograph  kindly  loaned  by 

his  widow. 


398  MOSBV'S   RANGERS. 

friends — some  of  his  old  command,  all  ready  to  warn  him 
of  approaching  danger. 

Finding  his  capture  a  more  difficult  task  than  they  had 
bargained  for,  the  Federal  authorities  sent  word  to  Gen. 
Gregg,  commanding  the  district,  that  if  Mosby  would  come 
in  he  would  be  paroled.  In  consequence  of  this  order 
Mosby  went  into  Lynchburg,  where  he  was  quickly  sur 
rounded  by  friends  all  eager  to  greet  him,  while  the  Federal 
soldiers  crowded  around  anxious  to  look  upon  the  man  of 
whom  they  had  heard  so  much. 

In  the  meantime  orders  came  by  telegraph  countermand 
ing  the  former  order  and  instructing  Gen.  Gregg  to  send 
Mosby  to  Washington.  He  went  to  the  Provost  Marshal's 
office  and  asked  if  the  report  was  true,  and  being  told  it 
was  so,  he  accused  them  of  treachery.  The  Marshal  said  he 
would  inform  Gen.  Gregg  and  await  his  orders.  Gen. 
Gregg,  being  an  honorable  soldier,  said  that  while  he  could 
not  go  back  of  the  orders  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  yet  as 
Col.  Mosby  had  come  into  the  city  upon  his  assurance  that 
a  parole  would  be  granted,  he  would  allow  him  to  return 
from  whence  he  came  unmolested.  The  next  day  parties 
of.  cavalry  scoured  the  country  in  all  directions  in  search 
of  Mosby  but  were  unable  to  discover  his  whereabouts. 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 
Brevet  Major-General  TORBERT,  April 28, 1865. 

Commanding,   Winchester,  Va.: 

Major  Parsons  can  return  of  course,  now  that  Booth  has  been  caught.  The 
General  wishes  you  to  try  and  hunt  up  Mosby.  If  more  money  is  needed,  it  can 
be  had.  C.  H.  MORGAN,  Brevet  Brigadier-General. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington   City,  April  10,  1865. 
Major-General  HANCOCK,  Winchester: 

There  is  evidence  that  Mosby  knew  Booth's  plan  and  was  here  in  this  city 
with  him  ;  also  that  some  of  the  gang  are  endeavoring  to  escape  and  by  cross 
ing  the  upper  Potomac  to  get  with  Mosby  or  the  Secesh  there.  Atzerodt  or 
"  Port  Tobacco,"  as  he  is  called,  is  known  to  have  gone  to  Rockville  Saturday 
to  escape  in  that  direction.  EDWIN  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War. 


Philadelphia,  May  4,  1865. 
Major-General  HALLECK,  Richmond,   Va.: 

I  gave  General   Hancock  several  days  ago,  verbal  instructions  to  treat  all 
men  in  arms  in  Virginia  as  you  propose  to  notify  them  you  will  do.     I  wish  you 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  399 

Secretary  Stanton  was  unwilling  to  let  Mosby  slip  through 
his  hands  without  a  squeeze.  An  attempt  to  connect  him 
with  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  however,  proved 
a  failure,  and  the  matter  was  dropped  with  but  little  com 
ment. 

Efforts  to  capture  him  being  unsuccessful,  the  following 
order  was  issued  : 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

May  3, 1866. 
Brevet  Major-General  TORBERT, 

Commanding  Army  of  the  SkenandoaJi, 

Winchester,  Va.: 

Major-General  Hancock  directs  that  you  offer  a  reward 
of  $5,000  for  the  apprehension  and  delivery  at  any  military 
post,  of  Colonel  John  S.  Mosby,  C.  S.  Army.  The  money 
will  be  paid  at  once.  This  to  include  reward  of  $2,000  pre 
viously  offered  by  the  General. 

C.  H.  MORGAN, 

Brevet  Brigadier-General  and  Chief  of  Staff. 
Mosby,  however,  was  too  wily  to  be  caught,  and  the  sil 
ver  bullets  proved  as  harmless  as  the  paper  pellets  hurled 
after  him.  from  the  War  Department. 

would  have  efforts  made  to  arrest  Smith,  Hunter,  Letcher  and  all  other  particu 
larly  obnoxious  political  leaders  in  the  State.  I  would  advise  offering  a  reward 
of  $5,000  for  Mosby  if  he  is  still  in  the  State. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant-General. 


Richmond,  May  16,  1865. 
Gen.  J.  A.  RAWLINS,  Chief  of  Staff : 

Will  Mosby  be  admitted  to  parole  with  the  other  officers  of  Rosser's  com 
mand,  to  which  he  belongs?  The  question  is  asked  to  determine  the  action  of 
Mosby  and  some  others  who  would  probably  follow  him  out  of  the  country  if  he 
goes.  Shall  a  definite  answer  be  given,  or  shall  it  be  said  that  he  and  others 
would  learn  the  action  of  the  United  States  Government  after  they  acknowledge 
its  authority?  GEORGE  H.  SHARPE,  Brevet  Brigadier-General. 


HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  JAMES, 

Richmond,  Va.,  May  18,  1865. 
Commanding  Officer,  Charlottesville: 

If  John  S.  Mosby,  the  Guerrilla  Chief,  does  not  surrender  himself  by  the  2Oth 
of  this  month,  offer  a  reward  of  $5,000  for  his  capture.  Also  publish  the  follow 
ing  reward  for  the  Rebel  Governor,  William  Smith,  known  as  "  Extra  Billy  "  : 

"$25,000  REWARD. 

"  By  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War  a  reward  of  $25,000  is  hereby  offered 
for  the  arrest  and  delivery  for  trial  of  William  Smith,  Rebel  Governor  of 
Virginia."  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

Major-  General  Commanding. 


400  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

Toward  the  latter  part  of  June,  however,  orders  came 
from  Washington  to  parole  Mosby  if  he  would  yield  him 
self  up  to  the  authorities,  and  he  again  came  into  Lynch- 
burg  and  was  paroled. 

In  Burr  and  Hinton's  Life  of  General  Sheridan,  from 
which  I  have  already  quoted,  I  find  the  following,  with 
which  I  close  this  work : 

"Here  let  us  pause.  The  years  have  passed,  summer  and 
winter.  Each  season  in  its  appointed  time  has  held  in  its 
embrace  the  Northland  and  the  Southland  alike.  The  shell- 
shattered  tree,  the  cannon-rifted  earth,  the  torn  bastions, 
the  fields  ploughed  by  "war's  dread  enginery,"  have  all 
changed  their  rude,  sad  features.  The  tender  touch  of 
Nature  has  shrouded  in  moss,  creeper  and  verdure  the  riven 
tree.  The  broken  earth  has  been  brought  by  industry  into 
smiling  places  of  plenty.  The  wild  flowers  bloom  where 
the  deadly  missiles  hurtled  fast  and  furious.  Dear  Nature 
has  kissed  alike  the  graves  of  Union  and  Confederate,  and 
her  robes  of  verdure  or  of  snow  are  the  proofs  of  loving  im 
partiality.  But  memories  live.  The  "boys"  came  home 
again — North  and  South — but,  alas!  not  all  of  them."  As 
Francis  A.  Durivage  so  simply  and  pathetically  sings: 

"  There  hangs  a  sabre,  and  there  a  rein, 
With  rusty  buckle  and  green  curb  chain  ; 
A  pair  of  spurs  on  the  old  gray  wall, 
And  a  mouldy  saddle — well,  that  is  all. 

"  Come  out  to  the  stable  ;  it  is  not  far, 
The  moss-grown  door  is  hanging  ajar ; 
Look  within!     There's  an  empty  stall, 
Where  once  stood  a  charger — and  that  is  all. 

"The  good  black  steed  came  riderless  home, 
Flecked  with  the  blood-drops,  as  well  as  foam. 
Do  you  see  that  mound,  where  the  dead  leaves  fall? 
The  good  black  horse  pined  to  death — that's  all. 

"  All  ?  O,  God  !  it  is  all  I  can  speak. 

guestion  me  not — I  am  old  and  weak, 
is  saddle  and  sabre  hang  on  the  wall, 
And  his  horse  pined  to  death — I  have  told  you  all." 


i 


J 


From  a  recent  photograph. 


APPENDIX. 


CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 


Report  of  John  S.  Mosby,  Virginia  Cavalry. 

Fauquier  Co.,  Va.,  Feb.  4,  1863. 
Major  General  J.  E.  B.  STUART  : 

GENERAL:  I  arrived  in  this  neighborhood  aoout  one  week  ago. 
Since  then  I  have  been,  despite  the  bad  weather,  quite  actively 
engaged  with  the  enemy.  The  result,  up  to  this  time,  has  been  the 
capture  of  28  Yankee  Cavalry,  together  with  all  their  horses,  arms, 
etc.  The  evidence  of  parole  I  forward  with  this.  1  have  also  paroled 
a  number  of  deserters.  Col.  Percy  Wyndham,  with  over  200  cavalry, 
came  up  to  Middleburg  last  week  to  punish  me,  as  he  said,  for 
my  raids  on  his  picket  line.  1  had  a  slight  skirmish  with  him,  in 
which  my  loss  was  3  men  captured  by  the  falling  of  their  horses  ;  the 
enemy's  loss,  i  man  and  three  horses  captured. 

He  set  a  very  nice  trap  a  few  days  ago  to  capture  me  in.  I  went 
into  it,  but  contrary  to  the  Colonel's  expectations,  brought  the  trap 
off  with  me,  killing  i,  capturing  12,  the  balance  running.  The  extent 
of  the  annoyance  I  have  baen  to  the  Yankees  may  be  judged  of 
by  the  fact  that,  baffled  in  their  attempts  to  capture  me,  they  threaten 
to  retaliate  on  citizens  for  my  acts. 

I  forward  to  you  some  correspondence  I  have  had  on  the  subject. 
The  most  of  the  infantry  have  left  Fairfax  and  gone  towards 
Fredericksburg.  In  Fairfax  there  are  5  or  6  regiments  of  cavalry ; 
there  are  about  300  at  Dranesville.  They  are  so  isolated  from  the  rest 
of  the  command  that  nothing  would  be  easier  than  their  capture.  I 
have  harassed  them  so  much  that  they  do  not  keep  their  pickets  over 
half  a  mile  from  the  camp.  There  is  no  artillery  there.  I  start  on 
another  trip  day  after  to-morrow. 

I  am  most  respectfully  yours, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY. 

[Indorsements.] 

Feb.  8,   1863. 
Respectfully     forwarded     as    additional     proof   of    the     prowess, 


402  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

daring,  and  efficiency  of  Mosby  (without  commission)  and  his  band  of 
a  dozen  chosen  spirits. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART,  Major-Gen.  Comdg. 

Feb.  u,   1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector-General  as 
evidence  of  the  merit  of  Captain  Mosby. 

R.  E.  LEE,   General. 


II. 

Report  of  Capt.  John  S.  Mosby,  Virginia  Cavalry,  including  operations, 
March  i6tk  to  April  i,  1863. 

Fauquier  Co.,    Va.,  April  7,   1863. 
Gen.  J.  E.  B.  STUART: 

GENERAL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  cavalry  under  my  command  since  rendering  my  last 
report : 

On  Monday,  March  16,  I  proceeded  down  the  Little  River  pike 
to  capture  two  outposts  of  the  enemy,  each  numbering  60  or  70  men. 
I  did  not  succeed  in  gaining  their  rear  as  I  expected,  and  only 
captured  4  or  5  vedettes.  It  being  late  in  the  evening  and  our  horses 
very  much  jaded,  I  concluded  to  return.  I  had  gone  on  over  a  mile 
back  when  we  saw  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which, 
according  to  their  own  reports  numbered  200  men,  rapidly  pursuing. 
I  feigned  a  retreat,  desiring  to  draw  them  off  from  their  camps.  At  a 
point  where  the  enemy  had  barricaded  the  road  with  fallen  trees, 
I  formed  to  receive  them,  for  with  my  knowledge  of  the  Yankee 
character,  I  knew  they  would  imagine  themselves  fallen  into  an 
ambuscade.  When  they  had  come  within  100  yards  of  me  I  ordered 
a  charge,  to  which  my  men  responded  with  a  vim  that  swept  every 
thing  before  them.  The  Yankees  broke  when  we  got  within  75 
yards  of  them,  and  it  was  more  of  a  chase  than  a  fight  for  4  or  5  miles. 
We  killed  5,  wounded  a  considerable  number  and  brought  off  i 
lieutenant  and  35  men  prisoners.  I  didn't  have  over  50  men  with  me, 
some  having  gone  back  with  the  prisoners  and  others  having  gone  on 
ahead  when  we  started  back,  not  anticipating  any  pursuit. 

On  Monday,  March  31,  I  went  down  in  the  direction  of  Dranesville 
to  capture  several  strong  outposts  in  the  vicinity  of  this  place.  On 


APPENDIX. 
CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 


403 


reaching  there  I  discovered  that  they  had  fallen  back  about  10  miles 
down  the  Alexandria  pike.  I  then  returned  6  or  8  miles  back  and 
stopped  about  10  o'clock  at  night  at  a  point  about  2  miles  from 
the  pike. 

Early  the  next  morning  one  of  my  men,  whom  I  had  left  over  on  the 
Leesburg  pike,  came  dashing  in  and  announced  the  rapid  approach  of 
the  enemy.  But  he  had  scarcely  given  us  the  information,  when  the 
enemy  appeared  a  few  hundred  yards  off,  coming  up  at  a  gallop.  At 
this  time  our  horses  were  eating ;  all  had  their  bridles  off,  and  some 
even  their  saddles  ;  they  were 
all  tied  in  a  barn-yard.  Throw 
ing  open  the  gate,  I  ordered 
a  counter  charge,  to  which 
the  men  promptly  responded. 
The  Yankees,  never  dream 
ing  of  our  assuming  the 
offensive,  terrified  at  the 
yells  of  the  men  as  they 
dashed  on,  broke  and  fled  in 
every  direction.  We  drove 
them  in  confusion  7  or  8  miles 
down  the  pike.  We  left  on 
the  field  9  of  them  killed, 
among  them  a  captain  and 
lieutenant,  and  about  15  too 
badly  wounded  for  removal ; 
in  this  lot,  2  lieutenants. 
We  brought  off  82  prisoners, 
many  of  these  also  wounded. 
I  have  since  visited  the  scene 
of  the  fight.  The  enemy  sent 
up  a  flag  of  truce  for  their 
dead  and  wounded,  but  many 
of  them  being  severely 

wounded,  they  established  a  hospital  on  the  ground.  The  surgeon 
who  attended  them  informs  me  that  a  great  number  of  those  who  es 
caped  were  wounded. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  was  6  companies  of  the  First  Vermont  Cav 
alry,  one  of  their  oldest  and  best  regiments,  and  prisoners  informed  me 
that  they  had  every  available  man  with  them.  There  were  certainly  not 
less  than  200  ;  the  prisoners  say  it  was  more  than  that.  I  had  about  65 
men  in  this  affair.  In  addition  to  the  prisoners,  we  took  all  their  arms, 
and  about  100  horses  and  equipments. 

Privates  Hart,  Hurst,  Keys,  and  Davis  were  wounded.     The  latter 


LIEUT.  W.  BEN  PALMER,  CO.  E, 
Drawn  from  a  painting  taken  during  the  war. 


404  MQSBY'S  RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

has  since  died.  Both  on  this,  and  several  other  occasions,  they  have 
borne  themselves  with  conspicuous  gallantry.  In  addition  to  those 
mentioned  above,  I  desire  to  place  on  record  the  names  of  several 
others,  whose  promptitude  and  boldness  in  closing  in  with  the  enemy 
contributed  much  to  the  success  of  the  fight ;  they  are  Lieut.  (Wm.  H.) 
Chapman  (late  of  Dixie  Artillery),  Sergeant  Hunter,  and  Privates  Wel 
lington,  Harry  Hatcher,  Turner,  Wild,  Sowers,  Ames,  and  Seibert. 
There  are  many  others,  I  have  no  doubt,  deserving  of  honorable  men 
tion,  but  the  above  were  only  those  who  came  under  my  personal 
observation. 

I  confess,  that  on  this  occasion,  I  had  not  taken  sufficient  precau 
tions  to  guard  against  surprise.  It  was  ten  (o'clock)  at  night  when  I 
reached  the  place  where  the  fight  came  off,  on  the  succeeding  day.  We 
had  ridden  through  snow  and  mud  upwards  of  40  miles,  and  both  men 
and  horses  were  nearly  broken  down  ;  besides,  the  enemy  had  fallen 
back  a  distance  of  about  18  miles. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY,  Capt.  Comdg. 

[Indorsements.] 

APRIL  u,  1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded  as  in  perfect  keeping  with  his  other  bril 
liant  achievements. 

Recommended  for  promotion.  J.  E.  B.  STUART. 

APRIL  13,  1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded  for    the   information   of    the    Department. 
Telegraphic  report  already  sent  in. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

APRIL  1 8,  1863. 
Respectfully  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

II.  L.  CLAY,  A.  A.  G. 

Nominated  as  Major,  if  it  has  not  been  previously  done. 

J.  A.  S.  (SEDDON),  Secretary. 


APPENDIX.  405 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 


III. 

Sttiart  to  Mosby. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAMP  PELHAM,  April  26,  1863. 

MAJOR:  There  is  now  a  splendid  opportunity  to  strike  the  enemy 
in  the  rear  of  Warrenton  Junction.  The  trains  are  running  regularly 
to  that  point.  (It  may  be,  by  the  time  you  get  this,  the  opportunity 
may  have  gone.)  Capture  a  train,  and  interrupt  the  operation  of  the 
railroad.  Stoneman's  main  body  of  cavalry  is  located  near  Warrenton 
Junction,  Bealeton  and  Warrenton  Springs.  Keep  far  enough  from  a 
brigade  camp  to  give  you  time  to  get  off  your  plunder  and  prisoners. 
Information  of  the  movements  of  large  bodies  is  of  the  greatest  im 
portance  to  us  just  now.  The  marching  or  transportation  of  divisions 
will  often  indicate  the  plan  of  a  campaign.  Be  sure  to  give  dates  and 
numbers  and  names,  as  far  as  possible. 
Wishing  you  all  success,  I  am, 

Very  truly  yours, 

J.  E.  B.  STUART.  Major  General. 


IV. 

Major  John  S.  Mosfy's  Report  of  Operations  in  Virginia, 
August  24  to  September  30,  1863. 

Fauquier  Co  ,  Va.,  Sept.  30,  1863. 

MOSBY  to  STUART  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report 
of  the  operations  of  the  force  under  my  command  from  about  August 
2oth  to  the  present  time; 

On  the  morning  of  August  24,  with  about  30  men,  I  reached  a  point 
(Annandale)  immediately  on  the  enemy's  line  of  communication. 
Leaving  the  whole  command,  except  3  men  who  accompanied  me,  in 
the  woods,  concealed,  I  proceeded  on  a  reconnoissance  along  the  rail 
road  to  ascertain  if  there  were  any  bridges  unguarded.  I  discovered 
there  were  three.  I  returned  to  the  command  just  as  a  drove  of  horses 
with  a  cavalry  escort  of  about  50  men  was  passing.  These  I  deter 
mined  to  attack  and  to  await  until  night  to  burn  the  bridges.  I  or 
dered  Lieutenant  Turner  to  take  half  of  the  men  and  charge  them  in 
front,  while  with  the  remainder  I  attacked  their  rear. 

In  the  meantime  the  enemy  had  been  joined  by  another  party,  mak 
ing  their  number  about  63.  When  I  overtook  them  they  had  dis- 


406  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

mounted  at  Gooding's  Tavern  to  water  their  horses.  My  men  went  at 
them  with  a  yell  that  terrified  the  Yankees  and  scattered  them  in  all 
directions.  A  few  taking  shelter  under  cover  of  the  houses,  opened 
fire  upon  us.  They  were  soon  silenced,  however.  At  the  very  mom 
ent  when  I  had  succeeded  in  routing  them,  I  was  compelled  to  retire 
from  the  fight,  having  been  shot  through  the  side  and  thigh.  My 
men,  not  understanding  it,  followed  me,  which  gave  time  to  the  Yankees 
to  escape  to  the  woods.  But  for  this  accident,  the  whole  party  would 
have  been  captured.  As  soon  as  I  perceived  this,  I  ordered  the  men 
to  go  back,  which  a  portion  of  them  did,  just  as  Lieutenant  Turner, 
who  had  met  and  routed  another  force  above,  came  gallantly  charg 
ing  up. 

Over  loo  horses  fell  into  our  possession,  though  a  good  many  were 
lost  in  bringing  them  out  at  night;  also  12  prisoners,  arms,  etc.  1 
learn  that  6  of  the  enemy  were  killed. 

Lieutenant  Smith,  of  the  Black  Horse,  then  on  duty  with  me,  acted, 
as  he  always  does,  with  conspicuous  gallantry.  Lieutenant  Turner,  on 
whom  the  command  devolved,  showed  himself  fully  competent  for 
the  trust. 

In  this  affair  my  loss  was  2  killed  and  3  wounded.  Among  the 
killed  was  Norman  E.  Smith,  who,  thus  early  terminating  a  career  of 
great  usefulness  and  brilliant  promise,  has  left  the  memory  of  a  name 
that  will  not  be  forgotten 'till  honor,  virtue,  courage,  all,  shall  cease 
to  claim  the  homage  of  the  heart. 

I  afterwards  directed  Lieutenant  Turner  to  burn  the  bridges.  He 
succeeded  in  burning  one. 

During  my  absence  from  the  command,  Lieutenant  Turner  attacked 
an  outpost  of  the  enemy  near  Waterloo,  killing  2  and  capturing  4  men 
and  27  horses. 

About  September  15  he  captured  3  wagons,  20  horses,  7  prisoners 
and  a  large  amount  of  sutlers'  goods  near  Warrenton  junction. 

On  the  2oth  and  2ist  instant,  I  conducted  an  expedition  along  the 
enemy's  line  of  communication,  in  which  important  information  ob 
tained  was  forwarded  to  the  army  headquarters,  and  I  succeeded  in 
capturing  9  prisoners  and  21  fine  horses  and  mules. 

On  the  27th  and  28th  instant,  I  made  a  reconnoissance  in  the 
vicinity  of  Alexandria,  capturing  Colonel  Dulany,  aide  to  the  bogus 
Governor  Peirpont,  several  horses,  and  burning  the  railroad  bridge 
across  Cameron's  Run,  which  was  immediately  under  cover  of  the 
guns  of  two  forts. 

The  military  value  of  the  species  of  warfare  I  have  waged  is  not 
measured  by  the  number  of  prisoners  and  material  of  war  captured 
from  the  enemy,  but  by  the  heavy  detail  it  has  already  compelled  him 
to  make,  and  which  I  hope  to  make  him  increase,  in  order  to  guard 


APPENDIX.  407 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

his    communication    and    to  that   extent   diminishing  his  aggressive 
strength. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  UOSB\r,  Major. 

[Indorsements.] 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS,  October  5,  1863. 
Respectfully  forwarded,  and  recommend  that  Major  Mosby  be  pro 
moted  another  grade  in  recognition  of  his  valuable  services.  The 
capture  of  these  prominent  Union  officials,  as  well  as  the  destruction 
of  bridges,  trains,  etc.  was  the  subject  of  special  instructions  which  he 
is  faithfully  carrying  out. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART,  Major -General. 

HEADQUARTERS,  November  17,  1863. 
Respectfully  forwarded. 

Major  Mosby  is  entitled  to  great  credit  for  his  boldness  and  skill  in 
his  operations  against  the  enemy.  He  keeps  them  in  constant  appre 
hension  and  inflicts  repeated  injuries.  I  have  hoped  that  he  would 
have  been  able  to  raise  his  command  sufficiently  for  the  command  of 
a  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  to  have  it  regularly  mustered  into  the  ser 
vice.  I  am  not  aware  that  it  numbers  over  4  companies. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 


V. 

Affair  near  Annandale,  Va. — Report  of  Major  John  S.  Mosby. 

Loudoun  Co.,  October  19,  1863. 

GENERAL:  I  did  not  receive  your  letter  of  instructions  until  late 
last  Tuesday  night,  on  my  return  from  an  expedition  below. 

I  collected  as  many  men  as  I  could  at  so  short  notice,  and  on  Thurs 
day,  ii>th,  came  down  into  Fairfax,  where  I  have  been  operating  ever 
since  in  the  enemy's  rear. 

I  have  captured  over  100  horses  and  mules,  several  wagons  loaded 
with  valuable  stores,  and  between  75  and  100  prisoners,  arms,  equip 
ments,  etc.  Among  the  prisoners  were  5  captains  and  i  lieutenant. 

I  had  a  sharp  skirmish  yesterday  with  double  my  number  of  cavalry 
near  Annandale,  in  which  I  routed  them,  capturing  the  captain  com 
manding  and  6  or  7  men  and  horses.  I  have  so  far  sustained  no 
loss.  It  has  been  my  object  to  detain  the  troops  that  are  occupying 
Fairfax,  by  annoying  their  communications  and  preventing  them  from 


408  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

operating  in  front.  Yesterday  two  divisions  left  Centreville  and  went 
into  camp  at  Fox's  Mill.  There  are  3  regiments  of  cavalry  at  Vienna. 
I  contemplate  attacking  a  cavalry  camp  at  Falls  Church  to-morrow 
night. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBV,  Major. 

[Indorsement.] 

Respectfully  forwarded.     Major  Mosby  and  command  continue  to  do 
splendid  service. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART. 


Scout  about  Catlett's  Station— Report  of  John  S.  Mosby.  C.  S.  A. 

Fauquier  Co.,  Nov.  6,  1863. 
General  J.  E.  B.  STUART  : 

GENERAL  :  I  returned  yesterday  from  a  scout  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Catlett's.  I  was  accompanied  by  Captain  Smith  and  2  men  of  my 
command.  We  killed  Kilpatrick's  division  commissary *  and  cap 
tured  an  adjutant,  4  men,  6  horses,  etc.  Kilpatrick's  Division  (now 
reported  unfit  for  duty)  lies  around  Weaverville.  About  one  brigade 
of  infantry  in  the  vicinity  of  Catlett's.  A  good  deal  of  artillery  moved 
forward  from  Warrenton  on  the  4th.  Sedgwick  still  remains  there. 
I  sent  5rou  4  cavalrymen  on  Wednesday  captured  by  my  scouts. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY,  Major. 


VII. 

Mosby  s  Operations  in  Virginia.  —  Report  of  Major  Mosby,  Commanding 
Virginia  Cavalry  Battalion. 


HEADQUARTERS  430  VA.  CAVALRY  BATTALION, 

NOV.   22,    1863. 

GENERAL  :  Since  rendering  my  report  of  the  5th  inst.  we  have  cap 
tured  about  75  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  over  100  hundred  horses  and 
mules,  6  wagons,  a  considerable  number  of  arms,  equipments,  etc. 

It  would  be  too  tedious  to  mention  in  detail  the  various  affairs  in 

1  Lieut.  Timothy  Hedges,  Second  New  York  Cavalry,  acting  commissary  of  subsistence  Kil 
patrick's  division,  was  "  wounded  by  guerrillas  near  Catlett's  Station,  Nov.  3,  1863.  "War  Records. 


APPENDIX.  409 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

which  these  captures  have  been  made,  but  I  would  omit  the  perform 
ance  of  a  pleasant  duty  if  I  failed  to  bring  to  your  notice  the  bold 
onset  of  Capt.  Smith,  when,  with  only  about  40  men,  he  dashed  into 
the  enemy's  camp  of  150  cavalry  near  Warrenton,  killed  some  8  or  10, 
wounded  a  number  and  brought  off  9  prisoners,  27  horses,  arms,  equip 
ments,  etc.  In  various  other  affairs  several  of  the  enemy  have  been 
killed  and  wounded.  I  have  sustained  no  loss.  Capt.  Chapman  and 
Lieut.  Turner,  commanding  their  respective  companies  have  rendered 
efficient  services. 

Gregg's  Cavalry  division  now  guards  their  rear,  being  distributed 
along  the  road  leading  from  Bealeton  to  Warrenton  and  thence  to 
the  Sulphur  Springs.  It  is  very  difficult  to  do  any  thing  on  the  railroad, 
as  they  have  sentinels  stationed  all  along  in  sight  of  each  other,  in 
addition  to  the  guards  on  each  train.  Rest  assured  that  if  there  is 
any  chance  of  effecting  anything  there,  it  will  be  done. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY,  Major,  etc. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS,  ARMY  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

November  25,  1863. 

Respectfully  forwarded. 

Major  Mosby  is  very  vigilant,  very  active.  The  importance  of  his 
operations  is  shown  by  the  heavy  guard  the  enemy  is  obliged  to  keep 
to  guard  the  railroad  from  his  attacks.  Particular  attention  is  called  to 
the  gallant  exploit  of  Captain  Smith,  late  Second  Lieut.  Company  H, 
Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry.  This  officer  promises  to  distinguish  himself 
highly  as  a  partisan  leader. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART,  Major  General. 

Noted  with  satisfaction  and  appreciation  of  the  energy  and  valor 
displayed. 

J.  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary. 


410  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

VIII. 

Report  of  Major  John  S.  Mosby,  43^  Virginia  Cavalry  Battalion,  includ 
ing  skirmish,  January  \vth,  at  Loudoun  Heights. 

February  I,  1864. 

MAJOR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  this  command,  since  rendering-  my  report  of  January  4. 

On  Wednesday,  January  6,  having  previously  reconnoitered  in  per 
son  the  position  of  the  enemy,  I  directed  Lieutenant  Turner,  with  a 
detachment  of  about  30  men,  to  attack  an  outpost  of  the  enemy  in  the 
vicinity  of  Warrenton,  which  he  did  successfully,  routing  a  superior 
force  of  the  enemy,  killing  and  wounding  several,  and  capturing  18 
prisoners  and  45  horses,  with  arms,  equipments,  etc. 

On  Saturday,  January  9,  having  learned  through  Frank  Stringfellow 
(a  scout  of  Gen.  Stuart),  that  Cole's  (Maryland)  Cavalry  was  encamped 
on  Loudoun  Heights,  with  no  supports  but  infantry,  which  was  about 
one-half  mile  off,  I  left  Upperville  with  about  100  men,  in  hopes  of 
being  able  to  completely  surprise  his  camp  by  a  night  attack.  By 
marching  my  command  by  file,  along  a  narrow  path,  I  succeeded  in 
gaining  a  position  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  between  their  camp  and 
the  Ferry.  On  searching  this  point,  without  creating  any  alarm,  I 
deemed  that  the  crisis  had  passed,  and  the  capture  of  the  camp  of  the 
enemy  a  certainty.  I  had  exact  information  up  to  dark  of  that  evening 
of  the  number  of  the  enemy  (which  was  between  175  and  200),  the  posi 
tion  of  their  headquarters,  etc.  When  within  200  yards  of  the  camp,  I 
sent  Stringfellow  on  ahead  with  about  10  men  to  capture  Major  Cole 
and  staff,  whose  headquarters  were  in  a  house  about  100  yards  from 
their  camp,  while  I  halted  to  close  up  my  command.  The  camp  was 
buried  in  profound  sleep ;  there  was  not  a  sentinel  awake.  All  my 
plans  were  on  the  eve  of  consummation,  when  suddenly  the  party  sent 
with  Stringfellow  came  dashing  over  the  hill  toward  the  camp,  yelling 
and  shooting.  They  had  made  no  attempt  to  secure  Cole.  Mistaking 
them  for  the  enemy,  I  ordered  my  men  to  charge. 

In  the  meantime  the  enemy  had  taken  the  alarm,  and  received  us 
with  a  volley  from  their  carbines.  A  severe  fight  ensued,  in  which 
they  were  driven  from  their  camp,  but,  taking  refuge  in  the  surround 
ing  houses,  kept  up  a  desultory  firing.  Confusion  and  delay  having 
ensued  from  the  derangement  of  my  plans,  consequent  on  the  alarm 
given  to  the  enemy,  rendered  it  hazardous  to  continue  in  my  position, 
as  reinforcements  were  near  the  enemy.  Accordingly,  I  ordered  the 


A1TKXDIX.  411 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

men  to  retire,  which  was  done  in  good  order,  bringing  off  6  prisoners, 
and  between  50  and  60  horses. 

My  loss  was  severe  ;  more  so  in  the  worth  than  the  number  of  the 
slain.  It  was  4  killed,  7  wounded  (of  whom  4  have  since  died),  and  i 
captured.  A  published  list  of  the  enemy's  loss  gives  it  at  5  killed  and  1 3 
wounded.  Among  those  who  fell  on  this  occasion  were  Capt.  William 
R.  Smith  and  Lieutenant  Turner,  two  of  the  noblest  and  bravest  officers 
of  this  army,  who  thus  sealed  a  life  of  devotion  and  of  sacrifice  to  the 
cause  that  they  loved. 

In  numerous  other  affairs  with  the  enemy,  between  75  and  100  horses 
and  mules  have  been  captured,  about  40  men  killed,  wounded  and  cap 
tured.  A  party  of  this  command  also  threw  one  of  the  enemy's  trains 
off  the  track,  causing  a  great  smash  up, 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY, 

Major  Commanding. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS, 

February  9,  1864. 

Respectfully  forwarded. 

The  conduct  of  Major  Mosby  is  warmly  commended  to  the  notice 
of  the  commanding  general.  His  sleepless  vigilance  and  unceasing 
activity  have  done  the  enemy  great  damage.  He  keeps  a  large  force  of 
the  enemy's  cavalry  continually  employed  in  Fairfax  in  the  vain  effort 
to  suppress  his  inroads.  His  exploits  are  not  surpassed  in  daring  and 
enterprise  by  those  of  petite  guerre  in  any  age.  Unswerving  devotion 
to  duty,  self-abnegation,  and  unflinching  courage,  with  a  quick  percep 
tion  and  appreciation  of  the  opportunity,  are  the  characteristics  of  this 
officer.  Since  I  first  knew  him,  in  1861,  he  has  never  once  alluded  to 
his  own  rank  or  promotion ;  thus  far  it  has  come  by  the  force  of  his 
own  merit.  While  self-consciousness  of  having  done  his  duty  well  is 
the  patriot  soldier's  best  reward,  yet  the  evidence  of  the  appreciation 
of  his  country  is  a  powerful  incentive  to  renewed  effort,  which  should 
not  be  undervalued  by  those  who  have  risen  to  the  highest  point  of 
military  and  civic  eminence.  That  evidence  is  promotion.  If  Major 
Mosby  has  not  won  it,  no  more  can  daring  deeds  essay  to  do  it.  Capt. 
W.  R.  Smith,  late  lieutenant  of  Black  Horse,  has  been  long  distin 
guished  as  one  of  the  best  cavalry  leaders  we  have.  Lieutenant  Turner 
has  won  an  enviable  name.  Both  had  inscribed  their  fame  in  old  Fau- 
quier  imperishably,  in  the  blood  of  her  enemies.  All  honor  to  the 
glorious  dead. 

J.  E.  B.  STUART,  Major-General. 


412  MOSBV'S   RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 


IX. 

Report  of  Lieut. -Col.  John  S.  Mosby,  43^  Battalion    Virginia   Cavalry, 
including  operations  to  May  i. 

September  n,   1864. 
Lieut.-Col.  TAYLOR,  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

COLONEL:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  for  the  information  ot 
the  commanding  general,  the  following  brief  report  of  the  operations 
of  this  command  since  the  first  day  of  March  last. 

On  March  loth  (Qth)  with  a  detachment  of  about  40  men,  I  defeated 
a  superior  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  near  Greenwich,  severe 
ly  wounding  3,  and  capturing  9  prisoners,  10  horses,  arms,  etc.  On 
the  same  day  Lieut.  A.  E.  Richards,  with  another  detachment  of 
about  30  men,  surprised  an  outpost  of  the  enemy  near  Charles- 
town,  killed  the  major  commanding  and  a  lieutenant,  several  privates, 
and  brought  off  21  prisoners  with  their  horses,  arms,  etc.  In  neither 
engagement  did  my  command  sustain  any  loss. 

During  the  months  of  March  and  April  but  few  opportunities  were 
offered  for  making  any  successful  attacks  on  the  enemy,  the  continual 
annoyances  to  which  they  had  been  subjected  during  the  winter 
causing  them  to  exert  great  vigilance  in  guarding  against  sur 
prises  and  interruptions  of  their  communications.  During  most  of 
these  months  I  was  myself  engaged  in  scouting  in  the  enemy's  rear 
for  Major-General  Stuart  and  collecting  information  which  was 
regularly  transmitted  to  his  headquarters,  concerning  the  movements, 
numbers  and  distribution  of  the  enemy's  forces  both  east  and  west  of 
the  Blue  Ridge.  During  this  time  my  men  were  mostly  employed  in 
collecting  forage  from  the  country  bordering  on  the  Potomac. 

About  April  15,  Captain  Richards  routed  a  marauding  party  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  at  Waterford,  killing  and  wounding  5  or  6  and 
bringing  off  6  or  8  prisoners,  15  horses,  arms,  etc. 

About  April  25  I  attacked  an  outpost  near  Hunter's  Mills,  in  Fair 
fax,  capturing  5  prisoners  and  18  horses.  The  prisoners  and  horses 
were  sent  back  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Hunter,  while  I  went  off 
on  a  scout  in  another  direction.  The  enemy  pursued  and  captured 
the  lieutenant  and  6  of  the  horses. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  ser 
vant, 

JOHN   S.   MOSBY,  Lieut.   Col.   Commanding. 


APPENDIX.  4H 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

X. 

Colonel  Mosbys  Report  of  his  Operations  from  March   I. 

September  n,   1864. 
Lieut.-Col.  TAYLOR,  Assistant  Adjutant  General : 

COLONEL:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  for  the  information  of  the 
commanding  general  the  following  brief  report  of  the  operations  of 
this  command  since  the  first  day  of  March  last.1 

About  May  ist,  with  a  party  of  10  men,  I  captured  8  of  Sigel's 
wagons  near  Bunker  Hill,  in  the  valley,  but  was  only  able  to  bring  off 
the  horses  attached  (34  in  number)  and  about  20  prisoners.  The 
horses  and  prisoners  were  sent  back,  while  with  another  detachment 
of  20  men  who  had  joined  me  I  proceeded  to  Martinsburg,  which 
place  we  entered  that  night,  while  occupied  by  several  hundred 
Federal  troops,  and  brought  off  15  horses  and  several  prisoners. 

Returning  to  my  command,  I  learned  that  General  Grant  had  crossed 
the  Rapidan.  With  about  40  men  I  moved  down  the  north  bank  of 
the  Rappahannock  to  assail  his  communications  wherever  opened, 
and  sent  two  other  detachments,  under  Captain  Richards  and  Chap 
man,  to  embarrass  Sigel  as  much  as  possible.  Captain  Richards  had  a 
skirmish  near  Winchester  (then  the  enemy's  rear)  in  which  several  of 
them  were  killed  and  wounded.  Captain  Chapman  attacked  a  wagon 
train,  which  was  heavily  guarded,  near  Strasburg,  capturing  about  30 
prisoners  with  an  equal  number  of  horses,  &c.  Near  Belle  Plain,  in 
King  George,  I  captured  an  ambulance  train  and  brought  off  about  75 
horses  and  mules,  and  40  prisoners,  etc. 

A  few  days  after,  I  made  a  second  attempt  near  the  same  place,  but 
discovered  that  my  late  attack  had  caused  them  to  detach  such  a  heavy 
force  to  guard  their  trains  and  line  of  communication  that  another 
successful  attack  on  them  was  impracticable. 

About  May  10  1  attacked  a  cavalry  outpost  in  the  vicinity  of  Front 
Royal,  capturing  i  captain  and  15  men  and  75  horses  and  sustained 
no  loss. 

About  May  20,  with  about  1 50  men,  I  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Stras 
burg  with  the  view  of  capturing  the  wagon  trains  of  General  Hunter, 
who  had  then  moved  up  the  valley.  When  the  train  appeared  I  dis 
covered  that  it  was  guarded  by  about  600  infantry  and  100  cavalry.  A 
slight  skirmish  ensued  between  their  cavalry  and  a  part  of  my  com 
mand,  in  which  their  cavalry  was  routed  with  a  loss  of  8  prisoners  and 

1  For  portion  here  omitted  see  Appendix.  IX. 


4H  MOSBYS   RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

horses,  besides  several  killed,  but  falling  back  on  their  infantry, 
my  men  in  turn  fell  back,  with  a  loss  of  i  killed.  While  we  did  not 
capture  the  train,  one  great  object  had  been  accomplished — the 
detachment  of  a  heavy  force  to  guard  their  communications.  After 
the  above  affair,  only  one  wagon  tram  ever  went  up  to  Hunter,  which 
was  still  more  heavily  guarded,  He  then  gave  up  his  line  of  com 
munication. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  the  enemy's  forces  from  Northern  Virginia , 
for  several  weeks  but  few  opportunities  were  offered  for  any  successful 
incursions  upon  them.  Many  enterprises  on  a  small  scale  were,  how 
ever,  undertaken  by  detachments  of  the  command,  of  which  no  note 
has  been  taken. 

About  June  20!  moved  into  Fairfax  and  routed  a  body  of  cavalry 
near  Centreville,  killing  and  wounding  6  or  8,  and  capturing  31  prison 
ers,  securing  their  horses,  etc. 

A  few  days  afterward  we  took  Duffield's  Depot,  on  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad ;  secured  about  50  prisoners,  including  2  lieuten 
ants  and  a  large  amount  of  stores.  The  train  had  passed  a  feu- 
minutes  before  we  reached  the  place.  On  my  way  there  I  had  left 
Lieutenant  Nelson,  commanding  Company  A,  at  Charlestown,  for  the 
purpose  of  intercepting  and  notifying  me  of  any  approach  in  my  rear 
from  Harper's  Ferry.  As  I  had  anticipated,  a  body  of  cavalry,  largely 
superior  in  numbers  to  his  force,  moved  out  from  that  point. 
Lieutenant  Nelson  gallantly  charged  and  routed  them,  killing  and 
wounding  several  and  taking  19  prisoners  and  27  horses.  We  sus 
tained  no  loss  on  this  expedition, 

On  July  4,  hearing  of  General  Early's  movement  down  the  Valley,  I 
moved  with  my  command  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge  for  the  purpose  of 
co-operating  with  him,  and  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Point  of  Rocks, 
driving  out  the  garrison  (250  men,  strongly  fortified)  and  securing 
several  prisoners  and  horses.  As  I  supposed  it  to  be  General  Early's 
intention  to  invest  Maryland  Heights,  I  thought  the  best  service 
I  could  render  would  be  to  sever  all  communications  both  by  railroad 
and  telegraph  between  that  point  and  Washington,  which  I  did,  keep 
ing  it  suspended  for  two  days. 

As  this  was  the  first  occasion  on  which  I  had  used  artillery,  the 
magnitude  of  the  invasion  was  greatly  exaggerated  by  the  fears  of 
the  enemy,  and  panic  and  alarm  spread  through  their  territory.  I  de 
sire  especially  to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the  commanding  general  the 
unsurpassed  gallantry  displayed  by  Captain  Richards,  commanding 
First  Squadron.  Our  crossing  was  opposed  by  a  body  of  infantry 
stationed  on  the  Maryland  shore.  Dismounting  a  number  of  sharp 
shooters,  whom  I  directed  to  wade  the  river  above  the  point  held  by  the 
enemy,  I  superintended  in  person  the  placing  of  my  piece  of  artillery 


APPENDIX. 


415 


CONFEDERATE  RETORTS,  ETC. 

in  position,  at  the  same  time  directing  Captain  Richards  whenever 
the  enemy  had  been  dislodged  by  the  sharpshooters  and  artillery,  to 
charge  across  the  river  in  order  to  effect  their  capture.  The  enemy 
were  soon  routed  and  Captain  Richards  charged  over,  but  before  he 
could  overtake  them  they  had  retreated  across  the  canal,  pulling  up 
the  bridge  in  their  rear.  My  order  had  not,  of  course,  contemplated 
their  pursuit  into  their  for 
tifications,  but  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  bridge  was  no 
obstacle  to  his  impetuous 
valor,  and  hastily  dismount 
ing  and  throwing  down  a 
few  planks  on  the  sills,  he 
charged  across,  under  a 
heavy  fire  from  a  redoubt. 
The  enemy  fled  panic- 
stricken,  leaving  in  our 
possession  their  camp  equi 
page,  etc. 

Captain  Richards  has  on 
this,  as  well  as  on  many 
other  occasions,  shown  him 
self  worthy  to  wear  the 
honor  bestowed  upon  him 
by  the  Government  when, 
disregarding  the  rule  of 
seniority,  it  promoted  him 
for  valor  and  skill  to  the 
position  whose  duties  he  so 
ably  discharges. 

On  the  morning  of  July  6,  while  still  encamped  near  the  Potomac, 
information  was  received  that  a  considerable  force  of  cavalry  was  at 
Leesburg.  I  immediately  hastened  to  meet  them.  At  Leesburg  I 
learned  that  they  had  gone  toward  Aldie,  and  I  accordingly  moved  on 
the  road  to  Ball's  Mill  in  order  to  intercept  them  returning  to  their 
camp  in  Fairfax,  which  I  succeeding  in  doing,  meeting  them  at  Mount 
Zion  Church,  and  completely  routing  them,  with  a  loss  of  about  80  of 
their  officers  and  men  left  dead  and  severely  wounded  on  the  field,  be 
sides  57  prisoners.  Their  loss  includes  a  captain  and  lieutenant  killed 
and  i  lieutenant  severely  wounded  ;  the  major  commanding  and  2  lieu 
tenants  prisoners.  We  also  secured  all  their  horses,  arms,  etc. 
My  loss  was  I  killed  and  6  wounded — none  dangerously. 

After  this  affair  the  enemy  never  ventured,  in  two  months  after,  the 
experiment  of  another  raid  through  that  portion  of  our  district. 


LIEUT.  JOSEPH  H.  NELSON,  CO.  A. 
Drawn  from  a  Photograph  taken  soon  after  the  War. 


416  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

A  few  days  afterward  I  again  crossed  the  Potomac,  in  co-operation 
with  General  Early,  and  moved  through  Poolesville,  Md.,  for  the 
purpose  of  capturing  a  body  of  cavalry  encamped  near  Seneca.  They 
retreated,  however,  before  we  reached  there,  leaving  all  their  camp 
equipage  and  a  considerable  amount  of  stores.  We  also  captured  30 
head  of  beef  cattle. 

When  General  Early  fell  back  from  before  Washington  I  recrossed 
the  Potomac,  near  Seneca,  moving  thence  to  the  Little  River  pike  in 
order  to  protect  him  from  any  movement  up  the  south  side  of  the 
river.  The  enemy  moved  through  Leesburg  in  pursuit  of  General  Early 
and  occupied  Ashby's  and  Snicker's  Gaps.  I  distributed  my  command  so 
as  to  most  effectually  protect  the  country.  These  detachments — under 
Captains  Richards  and  Chapman  and  Lieutenants  Glascock,  Nelson 
and  Hatcher — while  they  kept  the  enemy  confined  to  the  main 
thoroughfares  and  restrained  their  ravages,  killed  and  captured  about 
300,  securing  their  horses,etc.  My  own  attention  was  principally  directed 
to  ascertaining  the  numbers  and  movements  of  the  enemy  and  for 
warding  the  information  to  General  Early,  who  was  then  in  the  valley. 

At  the  time  of  the  second  invasion  of  Maryland  by  General  Early,  I 
moved  my  command  to  the  Potomac,  crossed  over  3  companies  at 
Cheek's  and  Noland's  Fords,  while  the  remaining  portion  was  kept  in  re 
serve  on  this  side  with  the  artillery,  which  was  posted  on  the  south  bank 
to  keep  open  the  fords,  keeping  one  company,  (B),  under  Lieutenant 
Williams,  near  the  ford  on  the  north  bank.  Two  were  sent  under 
Lieutenant  Nelson,  to  Adamstown,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  the  trains  from  Baltimore,  destroying 
their  communications,  etc.  Apprehending  a  movement  up  the  river 
from  a  considerable  body  of  cavalry  which  I  knew  to  be  stationed  be 
low,  I  remained  with  a  portion  of  the  command  guarding  the  fords. 
Lieutenant  Nelson  reached  the  road  a  few  minutes  too  late  to  capture 
the  train,  but  destroyed  two  telegraph  lines.  On  his  return  he  met 
a  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  near  Monocacy,  which  was  charged 
and  routed  by  the  gallant  Lieutenant  Hatcher,  who  took  about  15  men 
and  horses,  besides  killing  and  wounding  several. 

We  recrossed  the  river  in  the  evening,  bringing  about  75  horses  and 
between  20  and  30  prisoners. 
Our  loss,  2  missing. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding. 


APPENDIX.  417 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 


XI. 

Report    of   Lieut. -Col.  John    S.   Mosby,    Forty-third    Virginia    Cavalry 

Battalion. 

HDQRS.  43d  VIRGINIA  PARTISAN  RANGER  BATTALION, 

September  1 1 ,  1 864. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  for  the  information  of  the 
commanding  general,  the  following  brief  report  of  the  operations  of  the 
command  since  the  ist  day  of  March  last. 

On  August  9,  with  a  detachment  of  37  men,  I  defeated  a  body  of  100 
cavalry  at  Fairfax  Station,  killing  the  captain  commanding  and  6  men, 
and  capturing  21  prisoners  and  34  horses.  Two  detachments  sent  out 
at  the  same  time  in  Fairfax  brought  in  6  more  prisoners  and  horses ; 
another  detachment  of  5  sent  to  Duffield's  Depot,  brought  in  10  pris 
oners  with  their  horses,  etc. 

On  the  morning  of  August  13  I  attacked,  near  Berryville,  the 
enemy's  supply  train,  which  was  guarded  by  some  700  or  800  infantry 
and  cavalry,  under  command  of  Brigadier-General  Kenly.  Completely 
routed  the  guard,  with  a  loss  of  over  200  prisoners,  including  3  lieu 
tenants,  besides  several  killed  and  wounded.  Captured  and  destroyed 
75  loaded  wagons,  and  secured  over  200  head  of  beef-cattle,  between 
500  and  600  horses  and  mules,  and  many  valuable  stores.  My  loss,  2 
killed  and  3  wounded.  My  force  numbered  something  over  300  men, 
with  two  mountain  howitzers.  One  howitzer  became  disabled  before 
being  brought  into  action,  by  breaking  of  a  wheel ;  the  other  after  fir 
ing  a  few  rounds  was  rendered  useless  also,  by  breaking  of  the  carriage. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  awarded  to  Captains  Richards  and  Wil 
liam  Chapman,  commanding  their  respective  squadrons,  for  the  bravery 
with  which  they  scattered  largely  superior  forces  of  the  enemy.  The 
gallant  Captain  Sam.  Chapman,  commanding  Company  E,  although 
burning  for  the  strife,  was  prudently  held  in  reserve. 

A  few  days  after  this,  Lieutenant  Glascock,  with  14  men,  captured  29 
prisoners,  including  several  officers,  with  their  horses,  arms,  etc.,  near 
Kernstown.  At  the  same  time  Captain  Richards,  with  a  small  squad, 
killed  a  captain  and  captured  7  or  8  men  and  horses  near  Charles- 
town. 

About  August  20  I  crossed  with  my  command  at  Snicker's  Gap,  the 
enemy  being  near  Berryville,  sending  the  larger  portion,  under  Capt. 
William  Chapman,  to  operate  around  Berryville  and  restrain  the  enemy 
from  devastating  the  country.  With  a  small  detachment  I  went  to 
their  rear,  near  Charlestown,  and  captured  12  prisoners  and  10  horses. 
Captain  Chapman,  coming  upon  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  cavalry 


4i 8  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

which  was  engaged  in  burning  houses,  attacked  and  routed  them. 
Such  was  the  indignation  of  our  men  at  witnessing  some  of  the  finest 
residences  in  that  portion  of  the  State  enveloped  in  flames,  that  no 
quarter  was  shown,  and  about  25  of  them  were  shot  to  death  for  their 
villainy.  About  30  horses  were  brought  off,  but  no  prisoners. 

On  Friday,  September  3,  with  a  squad  of  6  men,  I  attacked  the  en 
emy's  outposts  in  Fairfax,  mortally  wounding  i  and  capturing  6  men 
and  ii  horses. 

On  Sunday,  September  5,  I  sent  Capt.  Sam.  Chapman,  in  command 
of  Companies  C  and  E,  to  harass  the  enemy  around  Berryville,  while  1 
made  a  detour  to  gain  their  rear  near  Charlestown.  Arriving  at  the 
river,  I  left  the  two  companies  that  were  with  me  (A  and  B),  under 
Lieutenant  Nelson,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  while,  with  6  men,  I 
went  on  a  reconnoissance  across,  previous  to  carrying  my  whole  force 
over.  Some  time  after,  a  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  crossed  the  moun 
tain  in  their  rear,  surprised  and  stampeded  them,  killing  i,  wounding  3 
and  capturing  3.  One  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  was  killed  and  5  wounded. 
With  the  6  men  with  me  I  succeeded  in  capturing  and  bringing  out 
safely  about  25  prisoners,  2  ambulances,  and  18  horses.  Captain 
Chapman  routed  a  largely  superior  force  near  Berryville,  killing  and 
wounding  some  15  or  20,  besides  securing  over  30  prisoners,  including 
a  captain  and  lieutenant,  with  their  horses,  arms,  etc. 

On  September  8,  with  about  30  men,  having  gained  a  position  in  the 
enemy's  rear  near  Charlestown,  I  divided  the  command,  for  greater 
safety.  One  portion,  under  Captain  Richards,  captured  a  captain  and 
12  men,  with  their  horses,  etc.;  with  mine  I  captured  a  lieutenant  and  5 
men,  with  their  horses,  etc. 

I  have  made  no  attempt,  for  it  would  be  impossible,  to  embrace  in 
this  report  a  full  recital  of  the  innumerable  affairs  with  the  enemy  in 
which  the  heroism  of  both  men  and  officers  of  this  command  has  been 
illustrated  ;  yet  the  fame  of  their  deeds  will  still  live  in  the  grateful 
remembrance  of  those  whose  homes  and  whose  firesides  their  valor 
has  defended. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  repectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  MOSBY, 

Lieutenant- Colonel,  Commanding. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  TAYLOR, 

Assistant  Adjtttant  General. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA, 

September  19,  1864. 

Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  for 
the  information  of  the  Department. 


A1TKNDIX.  419 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

Attention  is  invited  to  the  activity  and  skill  of  Colonel  Mosby,  and 
the  intelligence  and  courage  of  the  officers  and  men  of  his  command, 
as  displayed  in  this  report.  With  the  loss  of  little  more  than  20  men, 
he  has  killed,  wounded  and  captured  during  the  period  embraced  in 
the  report  about  1,200  of  the  enemy  and  taken  more  than  1,600  horses 
and  mules,  230  beef-cattle,  and  85  wagons  and  ambulances,  without 
counting  many  smaller  operations.  The  services  rendered  by  Colonel 
Mosby  and  his  command  in  watching  and  reporting  the  enemy's  move 
ments  have  also  been  of  great  value.  His  operations  have  been  highly 
creditable  to  himself  and  his  command. 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 


Report  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Let'. 

C/iaffin's  Bluff,  August  16,  1864. 

Colonel  Mosby  reports  that  he  attacked  the  enemy's  supply  train 
near  Berryville  on  the  i3th  ;  captured  and  destroyed  75  loaded  wagons 
and  secured  over  200  prisoners,  including  several  officers,  between  500 
and  600  horses  and  mules,  upward  of  200  beef-cattle,  and  many 
valuable  stores.  Considerable  number  of  the  enemy  killed  ana 
wounded.  His  loss,  2  killed  and  3  wounded. 

R.  E.  LEE. 
Hon.  J.  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary  of  War. 


XII. 

The  following  letter  was  published  in  the  Washington  Star,  having 
been  captured  by  a  Federal  officer: 

Letter  from  Lee  to  Mosby — Lee  Approves  Guerrilla  Warfare. 

HEADQR'S  ARMY  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA,  \ 
\<)th  September,  1864.         \ 

Lieut.-Col.  JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  Commanding,  etc. : 

COLONEL — Your  report  of  the  operations  of  your  command  from 
the  ist  March  to  nth  September,  is  received. 

I  am  much  gratified  by  the  activity  and  skill  you  have  displayed, 
and  desire  to  express  my  thanks  to  yourself  and  the  brave  officers  and 
men  of  your  command  for  the  valuable  services  to  the  country. 

The  smallness  of  your  loss,  in  comparison  with  the  damage  inflicted 
upon  the  enemy,  is  creditable  to  your  own  judgment,  and  to  the  intel- 


420  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

CONFEDERATE  REPORTS,  ETC. 

ligence  and  courage  of  those  who  executed  your  orders.  I  hope  you 
will  continue  to  harrass  the  enemy's  troops  as  much  as  possible,  and 
restrain  his  efforts  to  exercise  civil  authority  in  the  counties  in  which 
you  are  operating.  I  enclose  copy  of  a  letter  written  some  time  since, 
in  case  the  original  should  not  have  reached  you,  and  call  your  atten 
tion  to  the  instructions  it  contains. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  E.  LEE,  General 


XIII. 

Mosby  to  General  Lee, 

Xear  Uppcrville,  Xov.  6,  1864. 
General  R.  E.  LEE, 

Commanding  Army  of  Northern   Virginia  : 

GENERAL  :  The  enemy  is  engaged  in  removing  the  rails  from  the 
Manassas  road  for  the  purpose  of  reconstructing  the  Winchester  and 
Potomac.  The  latter  is  already  completed  to  Charlestown,  though  it 
is  considered  doubtful  whether  they  will  proceed  further.  On  the  4th 
instant,  Merritt's  division  of  cavalry  passed  through  Charlestown 
toward  Harper's  Ferry.  Indications  are  that  the  larger  portion  of 
Sheridan's  army  will  be  transferred  to  Grant's.  I  returned  from  the 
Valley  last  night,  and  send  out  to-day  28  cavalrymen  captured  there. 
I  shall  send  over  another  detachment  to-day,  From  the  time  of  their 
occupation,  to  the  abandonment  of  the  Manassas  road,  my  command 
killed  and  captured  about  600  of  the  enemy,  about  an  equal  number  of 
horses,  10  wagons,  etc. ;  my  total  loss  did  not  exceed  25.  I  hope  you 
will  not  believe  the  accounts  published  in  the  Northern  papers,  and 
ccpied  in  ours,  of  my  robbery  of  passengers  on  the  railroad  train  I  cap 
tured.  So  far  from  that,  I  strictly  enjoined  my  officers  and  men  that 
nothing  of  the  kind  would  be  permitted.  That  a  great  many  of  the 
passengers  lost  their  baggage  it  is  true,  because  the  proximity  of  a  con 
siderable  force  of  the  enemy  allowed  us  no  time  to  save  it,  but  I  ex 
plained  to  the  passengers  that  persons  traveling  on  a  military  road 
subjected  themselves  to  the  incidents  of  war.  I  have  sent  out  a  party 
to  plant  the  torpedoes  you  sent  me. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  S.  MOSBY,  Lieut.  Colonel. 


APPENDIX.  421 


FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 


XIV. 

April 3  to  6,  1863 — Scout  from  Fairfax  C.  H,to  Aliddleburg. 

Fairfax  C.  H,,  April  11,  1863. 

STAHEL  to  HEINTZLEMAN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  with  regard 
to  the  reconnoissance  under  command  of  Brigadier-General  J.  F.  Cope- 
land,  which  left  this  place  on  the  3d  day  of  April,  and  returned  here 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  inst.,  that  it  proceeded  as  far  as  Middle- 
burg,  and  searched  diligently  through  that  whole  section  of  country 
without  meeting  any  enemy  in  force,  or  ascertaining  definitely  the 
whereabouts  of  Mosby.  Small  detachments  of  rebels,  however,  were 
occasionally  seen,  but  scattered  on  the  approach  of  our  troops. 

On  the  4th  instant,  early  in  the  morning,  in  front  of  Middleburg,  a 
collision  cccurred  between  one  of  his  pickets  and  some  of  the  enemy's, 
resulting  in  the  death  of  one  and  wounding  of  another  on  each  side. 
During  the  expedition,  there  was  captured  and  arrested  61  prisoners, 
citizens  and  soldiers,  53  horses,  2  mules,  aquautity  of  wheat,  3  wagons, 
saddles,  bridles,  guns,  sabres,  etc.,  all  of  which  were  turned  over  to  the 
provost-marshal  of  this  place,  and  by  him  to  Col.  (Lafayette  C.)  Baker, 
Washington,  a  copy  of  whose  receipt  is  enclosed  within. 


XV. 

Washington,  August  4,  1863. 
Brigadier-General  KING  : 

The  major-general  commanding,  desires  that  you  send  two  parties 
of  cavalry,  of  60  or  70  men,  to  scout  and  beat  up  thoroughly  the  county 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  one  party  taking 
the  north  and  the  other  the  south  side.  The  party  going  south  should 
call  upon  Stiles,  the  guide  in  Alexandria,  through  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Wells,  provost-marshal-general. 

No  mercy  need  be  shown  to  bushwhackers.      These  guerrillas  must 
be  destroyed. 

J.  H.  TAYLOR,  Chief  of  Staff. 


MOSEYS    RANGERS. 
FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XVI.  * 

HDQRS.  CAVALRY  CORPS,  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

August  1 8,  1863. 

Major-General  HUMPHREYS,  Chief  of  Staff : 

GENERAL:  General  Kilpatrick  reports  that  some  of  his  pickets  saw 
upwards  of  2,000  cavalry  passing  down  the  right  bank  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock  yesterday  at  daylight.  Had  8  or  10  wagons  with  them.  He 
has  sent  a  party  down  the  river  to  watch  them.  He  also  sends  two 
letters  and  a  Richmond  paper,  which  are  enclosed,  that  were  captured 
yesterday  from  a  rebel  mail  carrier.  Six  rebel  soldiers  were  also 
captured. 

The  brigade  of  General  Gregg  at  Warrenton  has  100  men  on  Watery 
Mountain,  who  picket  well  toward  Salem;  another  force  of  loomen  at 
New  Baltimore,  who  picket  and  patrol  toward  White  Plains;  a  regi 
ment  which  pickets  and  patrols  to  Waterloo,  Orlean,  and  the  mill 
beyond  on  Thumb  Run.  The  pickets  report  but  few  of  the  enemy  to  be 
seen,  and  in  small  parties.  Two  regiments  have  also  gone  direct  to 
Salem,  Markham  and  Manassas  Gap,  to  return  by  way  of  Barbee's 
Cross-roads  and  Orlean. 

General  Merritt  reports  that  a  rebel  patrol  had  been  at  Union  Mills, 
in  the  direction  of  Dumfries,    just  before  his  scouting  party   arrived 
there  yesterday.     All  else  quiet. 
Very  respectfully, 

A.  PLEASONTON,  Major-General  Commanding. 


XVII. 

HDQRS.  ELEVENTH  CORPS,  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

September  6,  1863. 
Major-General  HUMPHREYS,  Chief  of  Staff : 

Captain  Sharra,  commanding  detachment  of  First  Indiana  Cavalry, 
just  returned  from  the  neighborhood  of  Aldie,  captured  3  of  Mosby's 
men  near  Cool  Spring  Gap,  who  will  be  sent  to  general  headquarters 
to-morrow.  No  signs  of  any  raid.  Mosby  not  dead,  but  wounded  at 
Culpeper.  •  The  men  think  he  will  be  fit  for  duty  in  six  weeks. 

O.  O.  HOWARD,   Major-General. 


APPENDIX.  423 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XVIII. 

HEADQUARTERS  ELEVENTH  CORPS, 

September  13,  1863. 

Major-General  SEDGWICK,  Commanding  Sixth  Corps : 

GENERAL:  1  send  my  orderly  to  you.  Will  you  have  the  kindness 
to  notify  me  if  you  move  anywhere,  or  if  the  enemy  makes  any  raid  to 
ward  New  Baltimore  ?  I  have  had  sundry  intimations,  but  do  not 
deem  them  altogether  reliable,  that  the  rebels  contemplate  a  raid  on 
some  of  our  depots.  The  work  of  to-day  may  prevent  it. 

I  sent  out  several  scouting  parties  yesterday.  One  near  White 
Plains  met  some  of  Mosby's  men  and  had  a  skirmish.  One  of  our 
party  was  severely  wounded  and  left  at  a  house  at  White  Plains. 

I  still  have  a  regiment  at  Greenwich,  a  brigade  at  Bristoe,  and  two 
brigades  here.  My  force  is  very  small.  I  will  leave  my  orderly  with  you 
till  tomorrow.  Please  send  him  with  everything  important.  When 
it  is  not  smoky,  I  communicate  directly  with  Watery  mountain, 
and,  by  telegraph,  with  headquarters. 

Very  respectfully, 

O.  O.  HOWARD,  Major-General. 


XIX. 

Manassas  Junction,  Sept.  22,  1863. 
General  KING: 

Two  officers  and  15  men,  in  pursuit  of  a  lost  horse,  came  upon  what 
they  supposed  to  be  a  company  of  cavalry,  which  they  were  informed 
was  a  part  of  Mosby's  force,  near  the  house  of  one  H.  Mathews,  on  the 
road  from  Centreville  to  Gainesville.  They  were  informed  by  a  man 
named  Settle  that  there  was  a  regiment  of  cavalry  encamped  on  the 
old  Bull  Run  battlefield.  My  horses  becoming  unmanageable  when 
the  firing  commenced,  I  lost  five  men  with  horses  and  equipments. 

My  horses  are  too  green  to  be  serviceable  as  cavalry.  I  send  this 
•information  that  you  may  take  such  action  as  you  deem  nec 
essary. 

ALFRED  GIBBS,  Colonel. 


424  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XX. 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  CORPS, 

No.  42.  }  November  5,  1863. 

The  loss  in  officers  and  men  sustained  in  this  corps  at  the  hands  of 
guerrillas  during  the  past  few  days  demands  the  careful  attention  of 
all  to  prevent  a  recurrence  in  the  future.  The  command  is  admon 
ished  that  we  are  here  in  the  field  for  military  and  not  social  purposes. 
Visiting  in  the  families  of  the  country  in  which  our  operations  are 
conducted,  riding  for  pleasure,  either  alone  or  in  small  parties,  or  even 
any  unnecessary  exposure  when  in  the  line  of  duty,  are  directly  in 
violation  of  every  recognized  military  principle.  They  will,  therefore, 
be  abstained  from  in  future.  Every  house  within  or  without  the 
lines  of  the  army  is  a  nest  of  treason,  and  every  grove  a  lurking  place 
for  guerrilla  bands.  They  are  on  that  account,  to  be  watched  and 
avoided. 

Division  commanders  are  expressly  directed  to  give  to  this  matter 
their  earnest  attention. 

In  the  transmission  of  orders  or  the  conduct  of  the  public  business, 
care  will  be  taken  that  individuals  or  small  parties  are  not  unneces 
sarily  exposed  and  every  effort  will  be  made  to  confine  all  officers  and 
men  to  such  close  attention  to  their  immediate  command. 

Any  infringement  of  the  spirit  of  this  order  will  be  reported  to  these 
headquarters,  that  the  appropriate  remedy  for  such  neglect  of  duty 
may  be  promptly  applied. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Pleasonton. 

C.  C.  SUYDAM,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


XXI. 

HDQRS.  FIRST  BRIG.,  SECOND  Div.,  CAVALRY  CORPS, 
Near  Fayetteville,   Va.,  Nov.  16,  1863. 

Capt.  H.  C.  WEIR,  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen.,  Second  Division : 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  all  quiet  along  my  lines  this  morn 
ing.  Night  before  last,  shortly  after  the  line  of  pickets  was  established, 
near  Warrenton,  4  men  and  a  corporal  were  found  to  be  missing;  no 
alarm  was  given.  Last  night  several  shots  were  fired  at  the  vedettes 
along  the  whole  front  of  my  lines,  but  no  serious  attacks  were  made. 

The  guerrillas  around  Warrenton  are  very  troublesome,  always 
attacking  my  pickets  after  nightfall.  The  citizens  do  all  in  their 


APPENDIX.  425 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

power  to  help  and  encourage  these  people,  and  I  fancy  that  by  putting 
a  section  of  my  battery  into  position,  about  i^  miles  this  side  of  the 
town,  with  orders  to  open  upon  this  place  in  case  we  are  disturbed,  no 
guerrilla  raids  will  hereafter  be  made  upon  my  lines.  We  are  very 
short  of  forage.  The  missing  men  belong  to  First  Rhode  Island 
Cavalry. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  P.TAYLOR, 
Colonel  Commanding  First  Brigade. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

November  17,  1863. 
Respectfully  forwarded. 

To  comply  with  the  instructions  to  "picket  beyond  Warrenton," 
it  is  found  necessary  to  completely  envelop  that  town,  so  as  to  bring 
it  within  our  lines  and  cut  off  communication  between  its  disloyal 
inhabitants  and  the  guerrillas  who  infest  the  country  about.  These 
two  classes  of  people,  not  being  permitted  to  have  intercourse,  are 
very  angry,  and  it  results  from  this  that  the  line  of  pickets  is  con 
stantly  threatened,  both  m  front  and  rear,  and  its  maintenance  will 
occasion  the  loss  of  men,  as  in  this  instance 

D.  McM.  GREGG, 
Brig.  Gen.  of  Vols.,  Commanding  Second  Division. 


XXII. 

Cumberland,  Md.,  Dec.  18,  1863. 
Brig.-Gen.  G.  W.  CULLOM,  Chief  of  Staff: 

General  Sullivan  reports  that  a  cavalry  scout  has  just  returned  from 
Loudoun  County,  commanded  by  Captain  Keys,  of  the  Twenty-second 
Pennsylvania.  Near  Upperville,  he  captured  Colonel  Carter,  of  the 
First  Virginia  Cavalry,  5  men  and  6  horses.  Key's  loss,  i  man  killed 
and  2  captured  Enemy's,  i  man  and  2  horses  killed. 

B.  F.  KELLEY,  Brigadier  General. 


426  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XXIII. 

IlKADQUARTERS   ARMY   OF   THE    POTOMAC, 

December  25,  1863. 
Colonel  TAYLOR,  Commanding  Second  Divison  Cavalry : 

Dispatch  just  received  states  that  Mosby  has  made  great  preparations 
to  have  a  frolic,  with  his  principal  officers,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Bispham 
and  Mrs.  Murray,  in  Salem,  to-night.  Dr.  Bispham's  is  the  second 
house  as  you  go  in  the  village  from  Warrenton,  and  Mrs.  Murray  lives 
about  the  middle  of  the  street,  in  a  large  white  house.  The  major- 
general  commanding  directs  that  you  send  a  party  from  the  brigade 
which  is  at  Warren+own,  under  the  command  of  a  smart  and  compe 
tent  officer,  to  capture  them. 

E.  B.  PARSONS. 
Captain,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


XXIV. 

Skirmish   near   Aldie,     Va. — Reports    of  Brig.    Gen.    Robert    ().     Tyler, 

U.  S.  Army. 

HEADQUARTERS  DIVISION, 

February  6,  1 864. 
Lieut. -Col.  TAYLOR,  Chief  of  Staff: 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  all  quiet.  The  scouting  party  sent  out 
yesterday  returned  this  afternoon  from  Aldie  and  Middleburg.  Their 
rear  guard  was  attacked  yesterday  noon  by  8  of  "  Mosby's  Men  ;  " 
they  were  dispersed  and  the  leader,  who  proved  to  be  William  E. 
Ormsby,  who  deserted  from  the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry  on  the 
night  of  January  24,  was  captured,  and  is  now  being  tried  by  drum 
head  court-martial.  Two  men  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry 
and  3  rebels  were  wounded.  Five  citizens  were  arrested  under  suspi 
cious  circumstances.  No  evidence  was  found  of  any  force  being  in 

the  vicinity. 

R.  O.  TYLER,  Brigadier-General  Commanding. 


Fairfax  Court  House,  February  7,  1864. 
Lieut.-Col.  J.  H.  TAYLOR,  Chief  of  Staff: 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  all  quiet.  The  deserter  [Ormsby]  from 
the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  captured  in  arms  against  the 
United  States,  was  convicted  by  drum-head  court-martial  and  shot  at 
1 2  this  noon.  R.O.TYLER, 

Brigadier-  General  Commanding. 


APPENDIX.  427 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XXV. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 

Falls  Church,   Va.,  June  5,  1864. 
Lieut.-Col.  J.  H.  TAYLOR, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General  and  Chief  of  Staff : 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  everything  quiet  in  this 
vicinity  during  the  last  24  hours.  Major  Forbes  returned  with  his 
mounted  party  from  Middleburg  and  Rector's  Cross-Roads  last  night, 
bringing  5  rebel  hostages  (Hamilton  Rogers,  Dr.  Powell,  Gurley  R. 
Hatcher,  Noland,  and  Hooper).  This  party  did  not  see  a  single  guer 
rilla.  The  dismounted  party  which  acted  with  it  met  a  squad  of  5 
rebels  and  wounded  2  of  them,  but  they  got  off.  This  party  has  not  yet 
returned  ;  it  was  to  bring  in  more  hostages  from  above  Dranesville. 
The  regular  scouting  party  which  was  relieved  this  p.  m.  brought  in 
Fenton  Beavers  and  the  two  Gunnells,  of  Mosby's  command,  who 
have  been  making  themselves  very  obnoxious  recently  as  horse- 
thieves.  Beavers  is  the  same  man  who  feigned  desertion  from  Mosby 
some  two  months  ago,  and,  after  taking  the  amnesty  oath  and  spying 
about  Alexandria  and  Vienna,  returned  to  the  enemy.  These  3  men, 
with  two  Bowies  from  Maryland  and  a  man  named  Campbell,  are  the 
party  which,  under  orders  from  Mosby,  seized  Walters  and  Dr. 
Lloyd.  I  think  that  these  gentlemen  will  both  be  back  within  a  day 
or  two. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  R.  LOWELL,  JR., 
Col.  Second  MassacJiusetts  Cavalry,  Comd^.  Cav.  Brig. 


XXVI. 

Report  of  Federal  Scouting  Party  in  the  Shenandoah    Valley. 

HEADQUARTERS  SIXTH  WEST  VIRGINIA  CAVALRY, 

Camp  near  Bolivar,  June  8.  1864. 
Lieut.-Col.  F.  W.  THOMPSON, 

Commanding  Sixth  West  Virginia  Cavalry : 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  agreeably  to  orders,  I  started  yes 
terday  at  3  a.  m.  in  command  of  83  select  men,  of  whom  38  were  from  the 
Sixth  West  Virginia  Cavalry,  25  from  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Cav 
alry,  and  20  from  First  New  York  Veterans.  I  adopted  the  following 
order  of  march  :  First.  F.  A.  Warthen,  Company  D,  of  your  regiment, 
dressed  in  full  Confederate  uniform,  as  scout,  followed  by  an  advance 


428 


MOSBV  S    RANGERS. 
FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 


of  8  men  familiar  with  the  country.  Second.  The  detachment  in  the 
order  in  which  I  have  stated  them.  Third.  Rear  guard  of  one  corpo 
ral  and  3  men.  I  proceeded  up  the  Berryville  turnpike  road,  avoiding 
Charlestown  by  passing  around  to  the  left,  then  following  the  turn 
pike  for  about  12  miles.  From  this  place,  finding  myself  ahead  of 
time,  I  turned  my  command  off  the  turnpike  by  a  road  leading  to  the 
Martinsburg  turnpike  road  for  about  one-half  mile,  where  1  rested  for 
about  2  hours.  I  then  resumed  the  march  to  the  point  indicated  on 
the  map  furnished  me  by  Colonel  Pierce,  where,  turning  to  the  left,  1 

followed  a  country  road,  which 
soon  took  me  to  the  houses  of 
Mr.  Castleman  and  his  neighbor, 
Mr.  DeRue,  whose  houses  I 
approached  unobserved  and 
promptly  surrounded  at  n  a.  m. 
The  information  relative  to  the 
wedding  to  come  off  at  Mr.  De- 
Rue's  was  incorrect.  The  young 
lady  whom  report  made  the  bride 
of  the  occasion  had  gone  to  the 
blacksmith's  shop  at  Myerstown, 
riding,  as  I  was  credibly  informed, 
"an  old  black  horse  for  the  pur 
pose  of  getting  him  shod  to  visit 
this  place  to-day,"  and  from  the 
uncomely  appearance  of  her  par 
ents,  the  buildings  and  their  sur 
roundings,  I  think  Miss  Castleman 
will  never  be  the  bride  of  a  Con 
federate  officer  connected  with 
the  proud  Early  family,  until  their 
pride  shall  have  been  subdued  by 

the  whipping  which  awaits  them  and  all  other  Southern  traitors.  Feel 
ing  somewhat  foiled  and  desiring  to  accomplish  some  good  before  I 
returned,  I  concluded  to  advance  to  Snicker's  Ferry,  5  miles  beyond, 
where  I  learned  that  a  small  party  had  crossed  the  evening  before  en 
route  for  Lee's  army.  I  returned  by  an  obscure  road,  using  all  the 
skill  I  could  command  in  ferreting  out  rebel  hiding-places,  frequently 
stopping  my  command  to  make  excursions  to  the  flanks  with  my 
scouts  and  advance  party.  When  within  2  miles  of  Kabletown,  I  suc 
ceeded  in  capturing  2  rebel  soldiers  at  the  house  of  Henry  Castleman, 
respectively  of  the  names  of  William  Gibson  and  G.  E.  Cordell,  Com 
pany  B,  Twelfth  Virginia  (rebel)  Cavalry.  I  also  captured  2  serviceable 
horses  and  equipments,  which  I  shall  turn  over  for  the  use  of  the  cav- 


NORMAN  V.  RANDOLPH,  CO.  E. 
From  a  War-time  Photograph. 


APPENDIX.  429 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

airy  service  to  some  officer  competent  to  receipt  for  the  same.  These 
young  men  are  intelligent ;  were  enlisted  at  Charlestown,  and  are  con 
nected  with  prominent  rebel  families  of  that  place.  During  the  day 
I  made  diligent  inquiry  of  the  strength  and  position  of  Mosby's  com 
mand.  I  was  not  able  to  get  very  definite  information,  but  from  all  I 
heard  I  am  disposed  to  think  he  is  in  the  vicinity  of  Berry's  Ferry 
with  about  80  men,  and  would  respectfully  suggest  that  by  sending  a 
party,  say  of  100  men,  properly  officered,  directly  up  the  Shenandoah 
to  some  point  beyond  Berry's  Ferry,  and  another  similar  party  to  the 
right  of  the  Winchester  railroad,  equally  as  high  up  the  Valley,  the 
two  parties,  by  the  use  of  scouts  and  conjoint  action  ought  to,  as  they 
return,  capture  Mosby  and  the  greater  part  of  his  command.  I  fear 
our  scouting  parties  are  too  much  in  the  habit  of  following  the  public 
roads  and  going  to  villages,  instead  of  selecting  the  most  obscure 
routes  and  camping  concealed  in  groves.  I  would  suggest  that 
scouts  be  instructed  to  obtain  information  from  children  and  servants 
instead  of  adult  white  members  of  families. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  SIIUTTLEWORTH, 
First  Lieutenant  and  Acting  Adjutant. 


XXVII. 

Regulations  to  Guard  Against  Surprises. 

CIRCULAR]  HEADQUARTERS  DE  RUSSY'S  DIVISION, 

Arlington,  Va.,  June  9,  1864. 

In  view  of  the  possibility  of  demonstrations  on  the  part  of  the  rebel 
cavalry,  having  for  their  object  a  diversion  in  front  of  the  lines  de 
fending  the  Capital,  and  perhaps  contemplating  an  attack,  with  the 
hope  of  surprise,  it  becomes  the  duty  of  all  officers,  especially  of  the 
post 'commanders,  to  resort  to  unusual  vigilance  to  prevent  the  suc 
cess  of  the  enemy  in  any  such  endeavor.  The  picket  will,  therefore, 
be  required  to  perform  their  duties  most  strictly.  One  company  of 
infantry  will  bivouac  in  each  of  the  forts  at  night,  except  such  as  are 
garrisoned  by  one  company  only,  and  in  these  the  guards  will  be 
strengthened.  The  gates  will  habitually  be  kept  closed  after  retreat 
and  all  other  precautions  taken.  Among  these  the  garrisons  will  be 
required  to  be  under  arms  and  in  their  forts  at  3  a.  m.,  the  artillery  at 
the  guns,  and  they  will  so  remain  until  sunrise,  when  the  sentinels  on 
the  parapets  can  overlook  and  clearly  see  the  country  in  front  of 
them.  In  case  of  an  alarm  there  must  be  no  confusion  ;  each  company, 


430  MOSBV'S    RANGERS. 

FEDERAL   REPORTS,  ETC. 

or  portions  of  a  company,  should  have  its  station  designated  and 
understood  before  nightfall.  The  limbers  of  light  artillery  pieces 
in  the  forts  will  at  once  be  filled,  and  at  least  4  extra  rounds  of  canis 
ter  per  gun  for  the  light  guns  will  be  placed  on  hand.  The  equip 
ments  for  the  guns  will  be  left  with  them  after  retreat  until  morning. 
At  retreat  each  night  the  garrison  will  be  told  off  into  detachments 
for  the  guns  and  will  be  required  to  return  to  these  stations  in  case  of 
alarm  at  night.  The  supernumeraries  will  defend  the  approaches  with 
musquetry,  taking  position  on  the  banquettes  between  the  guns. 
By  command  of  Brigadier-General  De  Russy  : 

THOS.  THOMPSON, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


XXVIII. 

Attack  on  Sheridan  s  Supply  Train  near  Berryville,  Aug.  13,  1864. — 
Copy  of  the  Original  Order  issued  by  Gen.  Kenly,  to  be  executed  in 
guarding  trains. 

ORDERS.]  HEADQUARTERS  KEXLY'S  BRIGADE, 

Halltawn,  Va.,  August  12,  1864. 

The  brigade  will  march  at  once  to  escort  the  trains  of  the  army  to 
Winchester,  by  the  Berryville  pike.  The  trains  will  march  in  the  fol 
lowing  order:  First,  trains  of  the  Sixth  Army  Corps;  second,  trains 
of  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps  ;  third,  trains  of  the  army  of  West 
Virginia;  fourth,  trains  of  the  Cavalry  Corps ;  fifth,  trains  of  Kenly's 
brigade.  The  troops  will  march,  and  be  distributed  in  the  following 
order : 

1.  Two  companies  of  the  Third  Maryland  Potomac  Home  Brigade, 
and  the  remaining  companies  of  this  regiment  between  every  20  wag 
ons  of  the  train. 

2.  The  One  hundred  and  forty-ninth  Regiment  Ohio  National  Guard 
will  be  distributed  by  company  between  every  30  wagons,  next  follow 
ing  those  guarded  by  the  Third  Maryland  Regiment. 

3.  The    One    hundred  and  forty-fourth    Regiment   Ohio    National 
Guard  will  be  distributed  in  the  following    manner  •     Two  companies 
to  follow  the  rearmost  wagon  as  a  rear  guard,  and  the  remaining  com 
panies  between  every  20  wagons,  counting  from  the  rearmost. 


APPENDIX.  431 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

Should  the  battery  belonging  to  General  Emory's  command  report 
for  duty,  it  will  march  as  follows  :  One  section  in  rear  of  the  two  leading 
companies  ;  one  section  in  the  center  of  the  train,  in  rear  of  a  company  of 
infantry,  and  one  section  in  the  rear  of  the  train,  in  front  of  the  two 
rear  companies  of  the  One  hundred  and  forty-fourth  Ohio  National 
Guard.  Commanding  officers  of  regiments,  and  the  officer  command 
ing  the  battery,  will  personally  attend  to  the  posting  and^  distribution 
of  their  commands  in  accordance  with  these  orders,  and  will  give  their 
personal  supervision  to  the  safe  escort  of  the  train  to  Winchester.  For 
this  purpose  they  will  have  entire  control  of  the  march  of  the  train 
under  their  escort,  subject  to  the  orders  of  the  brigadier-general  com 
manding,  who  will  be  habitually  at  the  head  of  the  train. 

It  is  of  importance  that  the  train  should  reach  Winchester  as 
speedily  as  possible.  Commanding  officers  will  be  held  responsible 
that  no  unnecessary  delays  occur.  Should  the  train  be  attacked,  or 
any  serious  obstacle  intervene  to  its  march,  regimental  commanders 
will  transmit  the  intelligence  promptly  to  the  brigadier-general  com 
manding,  and  give  to  each  other  such  support  and  assistance  as  may 
be  needed. 

Bv  command  of  Brigadier-General  Kenly. 

WILL  W.  PEABODY, 
Captain  and  Acting  (Assistant]  Adjutant  General. 


XXIX. 

Report  vf  Major  \Villiani  E.  Beardsley,  Sixth  Ne-w  York  Cavalry. 

Winchester,    Va.  Aug.  14,  1864 

COLONEL:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  arrival  in  this  place  with 
all  of  our  brigade  train,  but  about  8  or  10  wagons.  We  were  attacked 
by  Mosby  at  daylight  yesterday  morning  in  Berryville  (en  route  for 
Winchester)  and  a  disgraceful  panic  ensued,  resulting  in  the  entire  de 
struction  of  the  Reserve  Brigade's  train  and  a  portion  of  ours  with 
battery  forges,  etc.,  the  running  off  of  nearly  all  the  mules,  the  capture 
of  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  killing  of  5  men  of  ours,  with  many 
wounded  ;  among  the  latter  is  Captain  McKinney,  flesh  wound  in  right 
thigh;  he  is  here  and  doing  well.  After  emptying  my  pistol  in  ex 
change  with  an  officer,  and  being  hard  pressed,  without  a  single  man 
as  support,!  dashed  off  and  checked  the  guard  (100  days'  men),  but 
failed  to  get  them  back  until,  finding  Mason  and  one  man  of  the  old 
Sixth  with  a  carbine,  we  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  returned 
to  the  head  of  our  train,  where  a  party  was  applying  the  torch 


432  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

and,  by  the  use  of  the  one  carbine,  succeeded  in  driving  off  the 
enemy  and  secured  the  paymaster's  treasure-chest  and  trunk  of  pay 
rolls,  which  we  carried  on  our  horses  to  a  place  of  security,  when  I 
succeeded  in  rallying-  about  twelve  muskets,  under  a  sergeant,  who  ad 
vanced  as  skirmishers,  when  a  single  volley  saved  all  our  train  but  8 
wagons  which  were  already  burned.  Lieutenant  Allyn  had  charge  of 
200  head  of  cattle  ;  all  missing  from  the  rear  of  the  train.  I  sent  for  cav 
alry,  and  shortly  the  First  Rhode  Island  arrived,  but  about  30  minutes 
too  late,  the  enemy  having  disappeared  with  their  booty  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Snicker's  Gap,  and  they  did  not  pursue.  I  sent  to  this  place  for 
ambulances  and  have  the  wounded  here.  General  Kenly,  command 
ing  here,  sent  down  his  teams,  and  our  brigade  train  is  now  here 
without  teams,  except  9  wagons,  including  your  wagon  and  the  two 
regimental  ones.  Now,  what  shall  we  do  ?  No  guard  furnished  us, 
neither  teams  with  which  to  proceed.  Major  Sawyer  is  here  and 
anxious  to  pay.  His  money,  $112,000,  is  also  safe.  I  have  no  hesita 
tion  in  saying  that  with  50  good  men  of  the  Sixth  New  York  I  could 
have  repulsed  the  thieves.  Mr.  Evarts  now  informs  me  that  for  lack  of 
teams,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  all  the  forage  and  7  wagons  and  3 
battery  forges,  all  in  good  condition,  now  at  Berryville,  which,  for  lack 
of  guards,  cannot  return  for  them.  The  infantry  here  are  only  in 
the  way.  We  shall  remain  here  until  we  hear  from  you.  I  am  my 
self  still  quite  sick. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your    obedient    servant, 

W.  E.  BEARDSLEY, 
Major  Sixth  New  York  Cavalry. 

Col.  THOMAS  C.  DEVIN,  Commanding    Second  Brigade,    First    Cavalry 
Division. 


XXX. 

Report  of  Captain  E.  P.  McKinney. 

Harper's  Ferry,    West    Va.,  August  16,  1864. 
Capt.  W.  H.  H.  EMMONS, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Reserve  Brigade,  Calvary  Corps. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  Friday,  the  i2th  instant, 
I  started  from  this  place  with  5  days'  rations  for  2,250  men  and  extra 
stores  for  sales  to  officers,  in  wagons.  The  wagon  train  of  this 
brigade  was  composed  of  a  few  wagons  carrying  forage,  10  wagons 
carrying  subsistence  stores,  and  the  various  regimental  and  head 
quarters  wagons,  and  was  in  the  rear  of  the  entire  train,  which 


APPENDIX.  433 

FEDERAL  REPORTS   ETC. 

was  commanded  by  Captain  Mann,  assistant  quartermaster.  From  one 
mile  this  side  of  Charlestown  the  train  was  accompanied  by  a  guard  ol 
infantry,  said  to  be  a  brigade.  About  2  a.  m.  of  the  I3th  instant  the 
rear  of  the  train,  /.  e,,  the  wagons  belonging  to  the  brigade,  after  much 
trouble,  caused  by  the  inexperience  of  the  drivers  and  the  newness  of 
the  mules  to  harness,  went  into  park  with  the  rest  of  the  train  (infantry 
and  cavalry)  at  the  stream  this  side  of  Berryville.  It  was  daybreak  in 
the  morning  before  the  first  part  of  the  train  had  hauled  out  of  the 
park,  and  the  wagons  of  the  Second  Brigade,  which  immediately  pre 
ceded  those  of  this  brigade,  were  beginning  to  cross  the  stream  when 
a  few  shots  were  fired  by  light  howitzers  from,  I  should  think,  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant  into  the  part  of  the  train  which  was 
yet  in  park,  which  were  almost  instantly  accompanied  by  a  small 
number  of  mounted  men,  charging  as  foragers,  dressed  in  gray 
uniforms  and  carrying  only  revolvers,  which  they  used  with  more 
noise  than  precision.  The  charge  and  also  the  howitzer  shots 
came  from  the  side  of  the  road  toward  Snicker's  Gap.  The  guards 
who  accompanied  us,  as  far  as  I  could  see,  threw  down  their  arms  and 
ran  away  without  firing  a  shot.  The  party  that  made  the  attack 
took  away  all  the  mules  and  fired  the  wagons  which  they  could  not 
get  off,  and  escaped  without  any  molestation,  All  the  wagons  of  this 
brigade  were  captured  or  destroyed,  as  far  as  I  could  learn,  with 
the  exception  of  one  wagon,  carrying  officers'  baggage  of  the 
First  U.  S.  Cavalry.  My  opinion  is  that  a  company  of  50  men  might 
have  saved  the  train  without  loss,  if  they  had  made  a  stand  in 
time.  The  property  lost,  for  which  I  am  responsible,  was  5  days' 
rations  for  the  brigade,  stores  destroyed  for  officers'  supplies,  all  the 
quartermasters'  and  commissary  property  pertaining  to  the  sub 
sistence  department  of  the  brigade,  and  all  my  papers  and  vouchers 
of  last  month,  and  this  including  books,  ration  returns,  invoices  and 
receipts,  receipts  for  payments  of  commutation  of  rations,  etc.  A 
wound  received  at  the  time  the  train  was  attacked  prevented  my 
making  an  earlier  report. 

Very  respectfully,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  P.  McKINNEY, 
Captain  and  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  Reserve  Brigade. 


434 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 
FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XXXI. 


Testimony  of  Capt.  J.  C.  Mann,  Quartermaster  First  Division  Nineteenth 
Army  Corps,  before  the  Board  of  Inquiry. 

On  receiving  orders  from  chief  quartermaster,  I  ordered  the  several 
trains  to  hitch  up  in  readiness  to  move.  There  were  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  525  wagons  in  the  train  to  go  for 
ward.  The  advance  left  Harper's  Ferry  about 
10.30  a.  m.,  August  12,  and,  from  some  reason 
unknown  to  me,  the  cavalry  trains  did  not 
follow  promptly.  We  marched  until  about 
1 1  p.  m.  without  feeding  or  watering  men  or 
animals,  when  we  arrived  at  a  small  creek 
about  one  mile  this  side  of  Berryville.  At 
that  point  Captain  McGonnigle,  acting  chief 
quartermaster  Middle  Military  Division,  was 
present,  and  ordered  the  trains  to  be  parked 
long  enough  to  water  the  animals,  and  make 
coffee  for  the  men.  The  Sfxth  Corps  train 
parked  on  the  right  side  of  the  road ;  the 
Nineteenth  on  the  left;  the  Army  of  West 
Virginia,  Eighth  Army  Corps,  on  the  right  of 
the  Sixth  Corps,  I  think  ;  the  Cavalry  Corps  to 
the  rear  of  the  place  where  the  Sixth  Corps 
had  parked,  and  partially  on  the  same  ground. 
The  train  required  about  two  and  a  half  hours 
to  pass  a  given  point.  The  Sixth  Corps  train 
moved  out  between  12  and  i  a.  m.,  leaving, 
consequently,  before  the  cavalry  train  arrived. 
They  were  followed  by  the  Nineteenth  Corps 
in  regular  order,  and  this  followed  by  the 
train  of  the  Army  of  West  Virginia.  When 
the  train  commenced  moving  General  Kenly 
gave  me  the  following  orders,  in  presence  of 
Captain  McGonnigle,  chief  quartermaster  :  "  1 
consider  this  the  most  dangerous  point  in 

the  route.  I  desire  you  to  remain  here,  therefore,  until  every  wagon 
has  passed."  When  the  wagons  of  the  Army  of  West  Virginia  were 
moving  out,  my  chief  wagon-master  reported  to  me  that  the  cav 
alry  trains  were  unhooked,  and  feeding  their  stock.  I  immediately 
went  to  those  trains,  roused  the  officers  in  charge,  ordering  them 
to  hook  up  their  teams  and  start  immediately,  telling  them  we  were  in 
danger  of  an  attack.  Upon  passing  among  the  trains,  I  discovered  one 


LIEUT.-COL.  CASPER 
CROWNINSHIELD. 

zd  Massachusetts  Cavalry. 

From  a  Photograph  taken 

when  a  Lieutenant. 


APPENDIX.  435 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

train  that  was  not  being  hooked  up,  and  I  endeavored  to  find  some 
officer  in  charge,  but  without  effect.  I  then  passed  through  the  train 
again  to  find  a  wagon-master,  but  was  unable  to  do  so.  It  was  now 
nearly  daylight,  and  I  dismounted  and  woke  up  the  drivers  myself,  one 
by  one,  ordering  them  to  immediately  hook  up  their  teams.  I  am  under 
the  impression  that  the  animals  of  this  train  were  unharnessed,  but  I 
am  not  positive.  The  drivers  were  so  long  in  getting  this  train  ready, 
that  the  sun  had  fairly  risen  when  the  enemy  opened  fire  upon  us, 
throwing  3  shells.  Upon  the  explosion  of  the  second  shell,  I  reported 
to  the  lieutenant-colonel  commanding  the  rear  guard  for  instructions. 
At  this  time  the  train  was  not  entirely  hooked  up,  the  lead  and  swing 
mules  being  harnessed  to  their  wagons,  and  the  wheel  mules  in  the 
act  of  being  hooked.  Upon  the  explosion  of  the  first  shell,  many  of 
the  drivers  mounted  their  saddle  mule,  which  was  ready  saddled,  and 
fled.  When  I  reported  to  the  lieutenant-colonel,  he  was  rallying  his 
men  and  forming  them  in  line.  I  should  think  there  were  about  75 
of  them.  I  reported  to  the  lieutenant-colonel  that  it  was  impossible 
to  move  the  train  to  corral  it,  and  asked  for  instructions.  He  replied 
he  had  none  to  give.  I  told  him  the  rebel  guns  held  the  road,  and  if 
he  had  no  instructions  for  me,  I  would  go  around  the  hill  and  hurry 
the  balance  of  the  train  away.  He  said,  "  Very  well/'  By  this  time 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  clothed  mostly  in  blue,  led  by  a  man  in  civilian 
dress,  wheeled  into  line  from  sets  of  fours  and  commenced  firing  with 
carbines,  and  advancing  toward  the  train.  At  this  point  I  left  the 
train,  passed  around  the  hill,  and  rejoined  the  balance  of  the  train  be 
yond  Berryville.  About  three  miles  beyond  Berryville,  I  met  2  squad 
rons  of  cavalry  going  toward  Berryville  upon  a  trot.  I  gave  them  what 
information  was  in  my  power,  and  hurried  on  with  the  balance  of  the 
train,  which  I  reported  to  General  Kenly  near  Winchester. 

I  am  unable  to  give  an  accurate  statement  of  the  losses,  as  I  had  no 
report  from  the  officer  in  command  of  the  train  lost,  and  did  not  again 
visit  the  place  of  disaster. 


XXXII. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 
Near  Fort  Buffalo,    Va.,  August  25,   1864. 

Lieut.  Col.  J.  H.  TAYLOR, 

Chief  of  Staff  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General : 

COLONEL:  1  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  party  under  Colonel 
Gansevoort   returned  early  this  morning.     Colonel    Gansevoort   ob- 


436  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

tained   positive  information   that   there   is   no   force  at   either  War- 
renton   or    Culpeper;    that   squads   of   50    and    100    men    frequent 
ly  come  up  on  the  railroad  and  pass  through  Culpeper  on  their  way 
to  join  the  main   command   in  the  Valley,  and   that  a   large   force 
consisting  of    over    10,000    infantry    and    cavalry,    passed    through 
Warrenton  about  a  week  since.    This  is  probably  the  force  of  which 
you  have  already  been  informed.     The  usual  small  parties  of  guerrillas 
were    met   with.     The  party   captured    and    brought  in   5   prisoners 
(2   soldiers   and   3   citizens),  40  horses,    i    mule, 
horse  equipments,  and  harness  leather.     A  num 
ber  of  rebel  uniforms  were  found  in  a  house  near 
Warrenton  and  burned.     A  picket-post,  consist 
ing  of  a  corporal  and  3  men  (near  this  camp)  of 
the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry,  was  attacked 
at  2  a.  m.  to-day  by  a  party  of  mounted  rebels  ;   4 
horses   and    2    men   were    taken ;    i    man    badly 
wounded    and    the   corporal  escaped.    Augustus 
Klock,   a   citizen   living  near  Falls  Church,  was 
arrested  by  Mosby  yesterday  near  Vienna,  and 
was  released  this  morning.     He  states  that  Mosby 
j.  R.  BEAL  CO.  D         on  releasing  him  told  him  to  inform  me  that  he 
(Mosby)  had  sent  Major  W.  H.  Forbes  and  Captain 

Manning,  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  to  the  penitentiary,  in  retalia 
tion  for  the  confinement  of  Jack  Barnes  and  Phil  Trammell,  two  of 
Mosby's  men.  Both  were  tried  by  a  court-martial  in  Washington  and 
sentenced  to  the  Albany  penitentiary.  Barnes,  I  believe,  was  tried  for 
violation  of  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  stealing  horses ;  Trammell  for 
being  a  guerrilla.  It  has  been  ascertained  quite  positively  that  the 
person  alluded  to  by  you  in  your  communication  of  August  24,  as  in  the 
habit  of  visiting  a  female  in  the  vicinity  of  Vienna  is  not  an  officer,  but 
a  non-commissioned  officer  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  who 
was  yesterday  relieved  and  ordered  to  rejoin  his  regiment. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  M.  LAZELLE, 
Col.  Sixteenth  New   York  Cavalry,  Comdg.  Cavalry  Brigade. 

P.  S.— I  forgot  to  state  that  Colonel  Gansevoort  brings  information 
that  the  rebels  obtain  their  supplies  by  the  way  of  Thornton's  Gap 
and  Sperryville.  The  Warrenton  route  is  used  but  little. 


APPENDIX.  437 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 
XXXIII. 

April  8-10,  1865. — Scout  from  Vienna  into  Loudoun  County,  Va. — Report 
of  Col.  Nelson  B.  Sweitzer,  Sixteenth  N.  Y.  Cavalry. 

HDQRS.  SIXTEENTH  NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEER  CAVALRY, 

Vienna,  Va.,  April  n,  1865. 

CAPTAIN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  agreeable  to  orders  No. 
71,  headquarters  First  Separate  Brigade,  I  proceeded  with  412  men, 
by  roads  on  the  right  of  the  Little  River  turnpike,  and  on  reaching 
Aldie  sent  a  squadron  into  the  town.  Here  I  learned  that  the  Eighth 
Illinois  had  passed  in  the  direction  of  Middleburg.  I  also  learned  that 
Mosby  had  been  quartered  near  Harmony  with  his  men  in  the  neigh 
borhood,  for  some  time.  Crossing  the  Bull  Run  mountains  about 
three  miles  north  of  Aldie,  I  proceeded  toward  Snickersville  and 
turned  toward  Harmony.  I  did  not  see  any  guerrillas  until  near  Aldie, 
where  several  shots  were  exchanged;  between  Aldie  and  Harmony 
several  charged  by  my  flankers  and  one  rebel  shot.  Reaching  Har 
mony  I  found  that  Mosby  had  left  two  days  before  with  all  his  men 
quartered  in  that  vicinity,  to  rendezvous  at  Upperville,  for  a  raid  sup 
posed  to  be  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad.  I  found  that  the 
men  conscripted  lately  by  Mosby  had  left,  and  that  his  band  is  be 
coming  very  obnoxious  to  the  citizens  ;  that  the  recent  victories  ot 
our  armies  were  creating  an  active,  outspoken  Union  sentiment.  The 
desire  is  for  peace — with  coffee,  sugar,  etc.  Returning  by  Leesburg,  I 
found  the  citizens  quite  sociable — the  formerly  cold  and  distant  seces 
sion  element  quite  anxious  that  we  would  accept  some  token  of  their 
hospitality,  and  the  Union  men,  formerly  whispering,  now  quite  in 
dependent.  I  think  the  political  health  of  this  department  is  rapidly 
improving. 

A  great  deal  of  rain  having  fallen  during  the  scout,  I  found  Goose 
Creek  flooded.  I,  however,  succeeded  in  crossing  the  command  with 
out  loss,  though  a  number  were  carried  past  the  ford  by  the  current. 
My  men  brought  me  quite  a  number  of  prisoners,  but  I  could  find 
nothing  to  justify  me  in  retaining  them — having  no  arms,  and  not 
having  been  taken  in  any  hostile  act.  The  race  of  guerrillas  is  rapidly 
returning  to  their  former  pursuits,  the  hatred  of  the  Yankee  invader 
not  being  such  now  as  to  incite  a  population  to  arms  and  individual 
desperation.  I  had  no  loss  in  my  command. 
Very  respectfullv, 

N.  B.  SWEITZER, 

Col.  Sixteenth  N.  Y.  Vol.  Cavalry,  Comdg.  Regiment. 
Capt.  C.  I.  WICKERSHAM,  A.  A.  G. 


438  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XXXIV. 

April  8-10,  1865. — Scout  from  Fairfax  C.  H.  into  Loudoun  County,  Va. — 
Report  of  Lieut.  Col.  David  R.  Clendenin,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry. 

Fairfax  C.  H.  April  11,  1865. 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  instructions  from  Brevet-Brigadier- 
General  Wm.  Gamble,  I  left  this  place  on  the  evening  of  the  8th,  with 
400  men  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  for  the  purpose  of  scouring 
Loudoun  Valley,  south  of  the  Snickersville  pike,  in  search  of  Mosby's 
command.  Marching  at  night,  I  arrived  in  the  Valley  about  i  a.  m., 
half  my  force  passing  through  Cool  Spring  Gap,  and  the  other  half 
through  the  gap  at  Aldie. 

Spreading  over  the  country,  the  houses  were  searched  for  concealed 
soldiers,  but  not  one  was  found.  One  half  went  three  miles  north  of 
Goose  Creek  on  the  Snickersville  pike,  and  the  whole  force  concen 
trated  near  Middleburg  at  daylight.  The  only  intelligence  thus  far 
obtained  was  that  Mosby  had  concentrated  his  forces  at  Upperville  on 
the  8th  and  moved  away. 

Arriving  at  Upperville,  I  learned  that  Mosby  had  been  there  the 
day  previous,  as  reported,  with  considerable  force,  variously  estimated, 
ranging  from  400  to  900  men.  From  the  best  information  I  could 
obtain,  one  company  was  sent  to  Maryland  for  the  purpose  of  robbing 
a  bank  ;  another  company  under  Bush. Underwood,  was  sent  down  to 
operate  on  this  line  ;  Mosby,  with  the  balance  of  his  command,  crossed 
over  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley  to  operate  against  Hancock's  forces. 

On  the  6th,  40  Federal  prisoners  passed  through  Upperville,  having 
been  taken  by  Mosby's  Men,  near  Harper's  Ferry.  These  prisoners 
were  reported  to  belong  to  the  Loudoun  Rangers. 

From  Upperville  I  moved  in  3  columns,  scouring  the  country,  and 
encamped  between  Rectortown  and  White  Plains,  from  which  place  I 
marched  to  camp  yesterday. 

During  the  whole  trip  not  over  15  rebels  were  seen  by  the  entire 
command,  two  of  them  being  captured  near  Sudley's  Mills,  and  they 
belonged  to  White's  Battalion  ;  about  half  a  dozen  more  were  seen  in 
that  vicinity.  I  brought  in  22  horses,  17  of  them  U.  S.  horses;  they 
were  found  in  the  woods  principally — 9  were  found  in  one  place,  7  of 
them  being  branded.  Two  were  found  near  Broad  Run,  with  old  U.  S. 
saddles  on,  bridles  tied  up,  etc.  They  belonged  to  the  two  men  after 
wards  captured,  who  had  in  the  meantime  provided  other  horses. 

Twenty-two  horses,  4  saddles,  3  revolvers  and  holsters  and  2  belts, 
comprise  the  captured  property.  They  are  subject  to  your  order. 

D.  R.  CLENDENIN,  Lieut. -Col.,  Comdg. 

Capt.  C.  I.    WlCKERSHAM. 


APPENDIX.  439 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

XXXV. 

Reports  on  Affair  at  Harmony. 

HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

March  22,   1865. 
Gen.  C.  C.  AUGUR,  Commanding  Dept.    Washington  : 

The  regiment  of  infantry  and  cavalry  under  Colonel  Reno  found 
Mosby  near  Harmony,  with  about  500  men,  and  had  a  skirmish,  in 
which  we  lost  about  20.  Some  of  the  rebel  wounded,  including  two 
officers,  fell  into  our  hands  and  Mosby  fell  back  to  Upperville,  where 
it  is  reported  he  has  collected  considerable  stores. 

The  river  is  still  high,  and  Mosby  must  go  down  toward  White 
Plains  or  disperse,  as  Reno  will  follow  him  as  far  as  Ashby's  Gap,  at 
least.  He  has  collected  quite  a  large  force  for  a  raid,  some  of  our 
informants  putting  it  as  high  as  700,  including  White's  battalion,  but 
500  is  thought  a  large  number. 

Respectfully, 

C.  H.  MORGAN,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  etc. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPT.  WASHINGTON, 
TWENTY-SECOND  ARMY  CORPS, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  March  22,   1865. 
Colonel  GAMBLE,  Commanding  Fairfax  Court  House : 

The  force  sent  out  by  General  Hancock  had  a  fight  yesterday  with 
a  party  of  rebels,  about  500  strong.  I  wish  you  to  send  out  about  500 
men  to-morrow  to  the  vicinity  of  Upperville,  where  General  Hancock's 
party  has  gone.  Let  your  party  look  out  for  them  and  not  mistake 
them  for  rebels  or  rebels  for  them.  The  expedition  to  Northern  Neck 
is  abandoned  for  the  present.  Colonel  Sweitzer  will  be  out  in  the 
morning  train. 

C.  C.  AUGUR,  Major-General  Commanding. 


Harper's  Ferry,    W.    Va.,  March  22,   1865. 
Brigadier-General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff : 

Just  received  the  following  despatch  for  the  Major-General  Com 
manding,  from  Colonel  Reno  : 

Near  Harmony,    Va.,  March  22,   1865. 

GENERAL:  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  I  arrived  at  this  place 
last  evening  and  had  a  slight  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  resulting 
in  the  following  casualties  to  them  :  2  captains  wounded,  2  privates 


44°  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

killed,  and  2  wounded;  all  fell  into  our  hands.  I  have  not  found 
many  supplies  yet,  but  have  burned  those  I  have  found.  I  am  in 
formed  there  are  large  stores  at  Middleburg,  Upperville  and  Paris, 
which  places  I  expect  soon  to  reach. 

M.  A.  RENO,  Colonel  Commanding. 

Eleven  of  our  wounded  (slight)  have  arrived  ;  i  rebel  captain 
wounded  ;  4  seriously  wounded  of  ours  left  near  the  field.  We  had  i 
officer  killed.  Our  total  loss  reported  by  wounded  officer  of  Reno's 
command,  20. 

The  enemy  were  commanded  by  Mosby  in   person  and  were  about 
500    strong.      They  fell  back  toward  Upperville.      This  information  is 
derived  from  our  wounded  officer. 
Respectfully, 

J.  D.  STEVENSON,  Brig.-Gen.  Commanding. 


Fairfax  Court  House,    Va.,  March  24,   1865. 
Lieut. -Col.  TAYLOR,  Chief  of  Staff,  etc: 

1  have  just  returned  with  detachment  of  the  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry  after  a 'march  of  60  miles  in  two  days.  I  connected  with  the 
command  of  Colonel  Reno  yesterday  at  6  p.  m.,  at  Mountville,  on  the 
Snickersville  Pike.  Colonel  Reno,  with  his  command,  300  cavalry  and 
700  infantry,  started  at  8  a.  m.,  on  his  return  through  Snicker's  Gap, 
stating  that  he  had  a  sufficient  force  to  cope  with  all  that  Mosby 
could  bring  against  him.  A  detailed  report  will  be  forwarded  to 
morrow.  W.  GAMBLE,  Colonel  Commanding  Brigade. 


Harper  s  Ferry,    I'a.,  March  25.   1865. 
General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff : 

Just  received  the  following  from  Colonel  Reno  for  you  : 

Purcellville,  Loudoun  Cour.ty,  Va.,  March  25,  1865., 
GENERAL  :  I  arrived  at  this  point  last  night  and  will  be  in  camp 
with  my  command  to-night  or  to-morrow.  I  shall  delay  here  for 
some  time  to  pick  up  some  wounded  men  of  mine.  I  have  destroyed  a 
good  deal  of  corn  and  some  of  Mosby's  men.  Will  report  details  on 
my  return.  M.  A.  RENO,  Colonel  Commanding. 

The  Loudoun  County  Rangers  brought  in  this  dispatch.  Did  the 
General  design  this  command  to  report  back  to  me  on  return  of  the 
expedition?  JOHN  D.  STEVENSON,  Brigadier-General. 


Winchester,   Va.,  March  22,  1865. 

Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK,  Chief  of  Staff : 

1  sent  an  expedition  into  Loudoun  composed  of  one  regiment  of 


APPENDIX.  441 

FEDERAL  REPORTS,  ETC. 

infantry  of  the  First  Veteran  Corps,  and  about  500  cavalry,  all  under 
Colonel  Reno.  Last  night,  near  Harmony,  he  encountered  Mosby,  who 
had  about  500  men,  and  had  a  slight  skirmish,  losing  about  20  men.  The 
enemy's  dead  and  wounded  fell  into  our  hands  and  Reno  moved  on  to 
Upperville  and  Middleburg,  where  it  is  reported  considerable  stores 
are  collected. 

W.  S.  HANCOCK,  Major-General  Commanding. 


HEADQUARTERS, 

Stephenson  s  Depot,  March  28,  1865. 
Brigadier-General  MORGAN,  Chief  of  Staff : 

Captain  Inwood,  just  returned,  reports  guerrilla  band  of  26,  under 
a  Lieutenant  Russell.  Tracked  them  to  Bunker  Hill  anc  Srmthneld, 
thence  in  the  direction  of  Charlestown.  They  were  recognized  by 
citizens  as  men  from  Jefferson  County,  part  of  Mosby's  original  gang 
but  now  under  command  of  Ross,  who  is  said  to  have  500  of  these 
robbers,  divided  up  into  small  parties.  At  Bunker  Hill  they  robbed 
the  post-office,  and  committed  many  other  robberies  along  the  line  of 
march.  W.  H.  EMORY,  Bvt.  Maj.-Gen.  Comdg. 


HDQRS.  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION, 

March  28,  1865. 
General  TORBERT  : 

A  party  of  guerrillas,  estimated  at  about  50,  attacked  the  wood 
party  near  Stephenson's  this  p.  m.,  wounding  several  men,  but  were 
driven  off.  They  retreated  toward  Smithrleld.  The  general  desires  an 
energetic  pursuit  or  attempt  to  recapture  some  of  them  by  the  party 
sent  out.  Colonel  Reno  will  send  out  a  party  from  his  camp  toward 
Smithfield  and  Bunker  Hill. 

C.  H.  MORGAN,  Bvt.  Brig.  Gen. 


442  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

Copy  of  Letter  Inclosing  Captain  Flint's  Picture  to  James  E.  Taylor. 

Craftsbury,  Vt.,Jan.  15,  1894. 
Comrade  JAMES  E.  TAYLOR  : 
DEAR  SIR  : 

Your  communication  to  Commander  of  Flint  Post  was  re 
ceived,  requesting  a  photograph  of  Captain  H.  C.  Flint.  I  am  Senior 
Vice  in  our  Post  and  have  a  photo,  of  our  Captain,  which  I  will  send 
you,  trusting  that  you  will  return  the  same.  I  was  a  member  of  Cap 
tain  Flint's  Company,  and  was  in  the  First  Vermont  Cavalry  three 
years.  Was  not  in  the  fight  where  our  Captain  was  killed,  which  we 
always  called  the  fight  at  Broad  Run.  I  was  with  the  detachment  at 
Dranesville  at  that  time,  but  was  sent  to  Washington  with  a  despatch 
the  night  before  that  fight  took  place. 

I  know  a  few  things  about  "  Mosby's  Men,"  as  I  carried  despatches 
from  our  Brigade  Headquarters.  I  used  to  be  sent  up  and  down  the 
Valley  and  across  the  Mountains,  through  Snicker's,  Ashby's  and 
Thoroughfare  Gaps,  and  "  Mosby's  Men  "  were  our  eternal  torment. 

We  have  a  man  in  our  post  who  had  a  bullet  put  straight  through 
his  lung  at  the  Broad  Run  fight ;  he  was  left  to  die  at  Miskell's,  but 
he  did  not  die,  but  is  alive  to-day. 

I  would  like  to  have  Mosby  or  some  of  his  men  write  up  the  little 
engagement  near  Bealeton  Station,  where  he  fired  the  railroad  train, 
and  we  chased  him  into  the  mountain  and  captured  his  little  brass 
gun,  and  drove  them  till  they  did  not  have  two  men  together. 

And  another  in  Throughfare  Gap,  where  they  fired  on  us  from  the 
rocks  each  side  of  the  road. 

And  another  where  twenty  of  us  went  from  Fisher's  Hill  to  Har- 
pers's  Ferry,  as  ambulance  guard  with  a  wounded  General,  and  they 
pitched  into  us  after  we  had  got  almost  to  Bolivar  Heights. 

Pardon  me,  but  all  of  these  things  come  to  my  mind  when  I  think 
about  Mosby. 

Our  gallant  Captain  Flint  died,  as  you  perhaps  know,  with  six 
bullets  shot  through  him,  which  shows  that  they  meant  him,  anyway. 

I  am  no  lover  of  Colonel  Mosby  or  his  way  of  fighting,  and  can  see 
but  little  honor  in  bushwhacking,  but  am  willing  to  send  you  the 
photo,  and  our  Post  will  be  glad  of  the  design,  if  you  will  please  send 
it  at  your  convenience. 

Yours  in  F.,  C.  and  Sc., 

A.E.  COWLES, 
Flint  Post  No.  I  5,  Craftsbury,   Vt. 


APPENDIX. 


443 


A  Modern  Rob  Roy. 

[Editorial  from  the  New  Yo.k  Herald,  November  27,  1863.] 

In  another  column  will  be  found  a  letter  which  will  have  a  novel  in 
terest  for  our  readers,  having  been  penned  in  the  saddle  en  route  for 
Richmond,  by  one  of  the  Herald  correspondents  recently  captured  by 
the  guerrilla  chief,  Major  Mosby.  It  was  written  by  the  latter's  per 
mission  and  forwarded  to  us  by  his  "special  express."  What  that  is 
we  are  left  in  ignorance  of,  but  that  it  does  not  keep  pace  with  the 
rapidity  of  the  Major's  other  movements  may  be  seen  by  the  date, 
which  is  November  i.  Our  correspondent  speaks  in  the  highest 
terms  of  the  treatment  which  he  and  his  companion  received  from 
their  captor,  who,  like  his  famous  Scotch  prototype  of  the  Scottish 
Border,  can,  it  appears,  be  very  much  the  gentleman  when  he  chooses. 
He  did  all  he  could  to  make  them  comfortable,  and  they  seem  to  have 
had  a  capital  time  with  him,  all  things  considered.  The  only  property 
belonging  to  them  that  he  appropriated  were  the  animals  that  they 
rode —  "  those  gay  Herald  horses  "  — as  he  styled  them.  He  promised 
them  others,  however,  in  their  stead,  which  for  a  guerrilla  was,  we 
consider,  behaving  very  handsomely.  The  Major  has  evidently  a  high 
opinion  of  our  judgment  in  horseflesh  and  thinks  he  is  paying  us  a 
compliment  in  adding  to  his  stud  these  specimens.  We  trust  that  his 
fancy  for  the  /fer#/</ breed  will  stop  there,  as  it  is  rather  a  heavy  item 
of  expenditure  to  our  establishment,  these  latest  captures  making 
nearly  a  dozen  animals  that  have  already  been  taken  from  us. 


Our  Captured  Correspondents. 


Letters   from  them  Written   en   route  to    Richmond. — Importance   of   Mosby's    Raids 
to  the  Rebels.—  His  Fancy  for  Horses  from  the  Herald  Stud,  etc. 


We  have  received  the  following  from  Mr.  George  H.  Hart,  one  of 
our  correspondents,  who  was  recently  captured  by  the  guerrilla  chief, 
Mosby,  in  Virginia.  It  was  accompanied  by  a  private  letter  from 
another  of  our  correspondents,  who  happened  to  be  with  Mr.  Hart  at 
the  time  and  who,  of  course,  also  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels.1 

HEADQUARTERS  IN  THE  SADDLE, 
EN  ROUTE  TO  RICHMOND  UNDER  MOSBY'S  ESCORT, 

White  Plains,  Va.,Nov.  I,  1863. 

Early  in  the  morning  Major  Mosby,  accompanied  by  several  of  his 
men,  suddenly  made  his  appearance  at  the  house  of  Mr.  McCormick, 

1  See  mention  of  capture,  Chapter  V.,  page  104. 


444  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

in  the  town  of  Auburn.     Quietly  reposing  and  totally  unconcious  of 
danger,  were  two  of  your  correspondents  in  the  house  alluded  to. 

One  of  them  was  your  humble  servant,   myself,    the   other   name   I 
omit  at  his  request,  on  his  family's  account. 

The  first  intimation  we  received  of  the  presence  oft  his  formidable 
and  almost  mythical  individual,  the  mysterious  and  ubiquitous  Mosby, 
was  the  scream  of  the  ladies  which  apprized  us  of  the  fact.  Shortly 
after  we  were  summoned  to  open  the  door,  which  we  reluctantly 
obeyed,  and  found  two  gentlemen  courteonsly  tendering  us  the  contents 
of  two  revolvers  if  we  did  not  surrender.  To  resist  was  out  of  the 
question,  the  odds  being  too  great,  as  the  house  was  surrounded  and 
the  only  weapon  in  the  party  being  a  small  pocket  pistol.  To  escape 
was  likewise  impracticable,  not  to  speak  of  the  uncertainty  of  the  at 
tempt.  So  the  only  remaining  alternative  was  accepted  and  we  sur 
rendered. 

The  ladies  implored  and  entreated  in  our  behalf,  but  Mosby  was 
unrelenting,  and  finding  their  efforts  abortive,  the  ladies  threatened 
them  with  General  Lee's  displeasure,  as  we  acted  in  the  capacity  of 
protectors  to  the  domicile,  but  all  to  no  avail,  and  we  inarched  off  in 
triumph — I  mean  to  Mosby's  triumph — on  our  own  horses,  or  I  should 
have  said  those  belonging  to  the  Herald,  then  in  our  possession.  We 
rode  along  leisurely,  Major  Mosby  opening  the  conversation,  which 
soon  became  highly  interesting.  We  soon  discovered  that  the  Major 
was  a  very  different  personage  from  what  he  is  described. 

In  his  address  and  demeanor  he  is  a  perfect  gentleman,  and  his  re 
lations  with  ourselves  was  highly  courteous.  He  is  about  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age,  of  prepossessing  appearance  and  certainly  the  re 
verse  of  the  picture  drawn  of  him  in  the  newspapers  generally.  He 
wears  the  uniform  of  a  Major  in  the  regular  rebel  service.  By  pro 
fession  he  is  a  lawyer,  and  with  a  considerable  share  of  native  shrewd 
ness  combines  the  acquired  tact  of  the  professional  attorney.  In  his 
movements  he  displays  great  energy  and  as  an  evidence  of  his  powers 
of  endurance  accompanies  his  men  on  all  their  expeditions.  On  this 
occasion  the  object  of  his  visit  to  Auburn  was  to  make  a  reconnois- 
sance,  as  he  frequently  does  prior  to  the  period  he  contemplates  mak 
ing  a  strike.  I  understand  that  General  Lee  was  supplied  with  the 
information  by  Major  Mosby  which  induced  him  to  make  his  last  ad 
vance,  and  his  movements  for  acquiring  knowledge  of  the  movements 
of  the  Union  army  at  any  time  are  perfect. 

As  an  instance  :  When  the  pontoon  bridges  were  in  transit  to  Gen 
eral  Meade's  army  some  two  or  three  weeks  since,  Mosby  had  con 
veyed  information  of  the  fact  to  General  Stuart  before  the  bridges 
reached  the  army.  Hence  his  services  are  almost  invaluable. 

Originally,  with  a  force  of  sixty  or  seventy,  he  has  increased  it  to 
some  two  hundred  or  three  hundred  men,  and  with  these  he  annoys 
our  army,  which  he  assails  in  all  positions,  and  by  his  frequent  cap- 


APPENDIX. 


445 


tures  of  valuable  and  necessary  supplies,  has  rendered  himself  a  person 
of  considerable  importance  to  the  rebels.     He  sent  to  General  Stuart 
some  few  days  since,  one  hundred  and  three  mules  captured  from  the 
Union   army,  and  for 
which     the     Quarter 
master    paid    him    in 
rebel  funds,  $300  per 
head. 

Mosby's  men,  such 
as  I  have  seen,  are 
intelligent  beyond  the 
average,  and  seem  to 
revere  their  leader, 
who,  to  use  their  own 
words,  can  wear  out 
any  four  of  them  by 
his  labors. 

My  fellow-prisoner 
and  myself  have 
naught  to  complain 
of,  save  an  unceremo- 
n  i  o  u  s  disturbance 
from  a  sound  sleep 
and  a  warm  bed  at  a 
disagreeably  early 
hour  in  the  morning, 
and  a  cold  ride  of 
some  eighteen  miles. 
T  o  counterbalance 
this,  we  have  the  ap 
parent  prospect  of  a 
winter  residence  at 
one  of  the  most  fash-  JAMES  j.  WILLIAMSON,  co.  A. 

ionable     Cities    of    the  From  a  recent  Photograph. 

South  —  fair  Rich 
mond — a  privilege  certainly  denied  to  many  eager  thousands  of  the 
Union  army.  We  are  told  that  the  Hotel  de  Libby,  in  its  capacity, 
number  of  guests,  and  extent  of  reputation,  exceeds  any  hotel  in 
Richmond,  and,  it  is  added,  that  rooms  there  are  prepared  for  us  in  ad 
vance.  What  distinguished  attention  from  entire  strangers!  Who,  after 
this,  can  doubt  Major  Mosby's  courtesy? 

Nothing  of  interest  transpired  on  the  road  from  Auburn  to  White 
Plains,  which,  to  use  a  bull,  was  not  the  road,  but  the  fields  and  the 
woods.  Arriving  at  this  point,  the  Major  invited  us  into  the  residence 
of  a  gentleman  residing  in  the  vicinity,  to  whom  we  were  formally  in 
troduced,  and  afterwards  invited  to  partake  of  a  warm  and  bountiful 


44-6  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

breakfast,  which  we  cordially  accepted  and  did  ample  justice  to.  The 
breakfast  was  rendered  more  agreeable  by  the  presence  of  four  very 
agreeable  ladies.  After  breakfast,  we  smoked  a  cigar  tendered  us  by 
our  host  and,  through  the  further  courtesy  of  Major  Mosby,  I  now 
write  these  particulars  and  forward  them  by  his  special  express. 

For  his  very  marked  attention,  if  we  do  not  feel  grateful,  we  feel  at 
least  complimented,  and  bid  him  here  accept  our  thanks  for  the  many 
kind  courtesies  which  have  so  far  succeeded  in  their  intent  as  to  make 
us  feel  his  companions,  and  not  as  his  prisoners. 

I  am  in  hopes  in  my  next  to  be  able  to  despatch  you  the  latest 
news  from  Stuart's  headquarters,  which,  if  it  be  not  important,  will 
certainly  have  a  claim  to  one  merit — novelty. 


A  Federal  Scouting  Party  Hunting  for  Mosby. 

Stevenson,  in  his  History  of  the  First  New  York  Cavalry,  thus  de 
scribes  the  adventures  of  a  Federal  scout  through  "  Mosby's  Con 
federacy  "  hunting  for  Mosby  : 

On  the  8th  of  June,  Mosby's  guerrillas  captured  our  wagon  train 
on  its  way  to  Winchester  with  provisions;  taking  12  mules  with  the 
harness  and  leaving  the  wagons  and  their  contents  in  the  road 
untouched.  They  had  evidently  been  frightened  off  by  the  approach 
of  some  of  our  men.  The  guard,  consisting  of  about  20  infantry,  was 
captured,  however,  and  carried  off  with  their  mules. 

On  the  roth,  Captains  Boyd  and  Bailey  were  ordered  out  with  IOD 
men  to  go  through  "  Mosby's  Confederacy,"  on  account  of  the  capture 
of  our  train.  They  knew  very  well  that  they  couldn't  capture  any 
of  the  guerrillas  in  the  daylight,  so  they  made  up  their  minds  to 
try  it  by  night.  They  crossed  the  river  and  the  mountains  early 
in  the  evening  and  commenced  their  search  for  "game"  about  mid 
night. 

They  would  noiselessly  surround  a  house,  knock  at  the  door, 
when  a  female  head  with  nightcap  on  would  peep  out  to  inquire  what 
was  wanted.  In  some  cases  they  had  to  threaten  to  break 
the  door  or  burn  the  house  in  order  to  effect  an  entrance,  while 
in  other  cases  they  were  admitted  at  once.  When  delayed  they 
always  knew  there  was  game  inside,  but  they  couldn't  always  find  it, 
as  the  "  Johnnies  "  had  secret  hiding  places  in  the  houses  which  they 
frequented. 

1  u  Boots  and  Saddles."  A  History  of  the  First  Volunteer  Cavalry  of  the  War,  Known  as  the 
First  New  York  (Lincoln)  Cavalry,  and  also  as  the  Sabre  Regiment.  Its  Organization,  Cam 
paigns  and  Battles.  By  James  H.  Stevenson,  Captain  and  Brevet  Major,  U.  S.  V.,  A.  A.  G. 
Illustrated.  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  Patriot  Publishing  Co.,  1879. 


APPENDIX.  447 

They  had  taken  quite  a  number  of  prisoners,  but  had  not  yet 
reached  Mosby's  headquarters,  which  were  said  ta  be  in  the  house  of 
a  Mr.  Hathaway.  Som3  of  the  prisoners  had  escaped  in  the  darkness, 
and  fearing  they  might  carry  the  alarm  to  their  chief,  Bailey  set 
out  with  a  few  of  the  best  men  and  horses  in  the  party  to  try 
and  effect  the  capture  of  so  noted  a  personage.  No  doubt  he 
was  thinking  of  the  flaming  ne.vspapar  articles  in  which  his  name 
should  appear  conspicuously  as  the  capturer  of  Mosby,  and  it  may  be 
that  he  had  one  eye  upon  promotion. 

After  a  short  ride  of  a  mile  or  so,  they  came  upon  the  house  they 
were  seeking  and  quickly  surrounded  it.  Bailey  dismounted,  ac 
companied  by  one  or  two  of  his  men,  and  knocked  at  the  door,  but  no 
response.  He  then  struck  the  door  sharply  with  the  butt  of  his 
revolver  and  the  window  was  heard  to  go  up. 

"What's  the  matter?  "  said  a  shrill  female  voice  from  the  window  ; 
evidently  very  much  annoyed  at  being  aroused  at  such  an  hour 
of  the  night. 

"Open  this  door  quickly,"  said  Bailey,  "or  we'll  burst  it  open." 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  was  the  reply. 

"  Never  mind  who  we  are,  but  come  down  and  let  us  in." 

The  head  was  withdrawn,  and  in  a  few  seconds  the  door  was  opened 
by  Mr.  Hathaway.  On  entering,  Bailey  inquired  for  Mosby's  room 
and  not  being  answered  immediately,  he  took  a  light  and  went 
to  look  at  it. 

The  first  room  he  entered  was  Mosby's  but  the  bird  had  flown, 
leaving  his  mate  to  keep  the  nest  warm.  It  was  an  awkward  matter  to 
search  the  room,  but  it  had  to  be  done,  and  Mrs.  Mosby  offered  no  ob 
jections.  Nothing  could  be  found  except  a  pair  of  spurs,  giving 
no  clew  to  Mosby's  whereabouts,  however,  and  the  party  was  very 
much  disappointed. 

It  appears  that  Mosby  had  been  in  the  house,  but  had  got  out  of  a 
window  into  the  branches  of  a  tree,  from  which  he  was  quietly  watch 
ing  the  party,  and  in  the  darkness  he  was  not  discovered.  They  got 
his  fine  sorrel  mare,  besides  about  25  other  very  fine  horses  belong 
ing  to  his  officers  and  men.  I  afterwards  owned  one  of  these,  which  had 
belonged  to  a  Lieutenant  Beattie.  Sergeant  Fokey  of  Company  D 
owned  the  Mosby  mare,  and  christened  her  "  Lady  Mosby."  She  was 
a  beauty,  and  very  fast. 


448 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 
MOSBY  AND  HIS  MEN. 


Much  of  the  bitterness  shown  and  expressed  towards  Mosby  dur 
ing  the  war  was  due  to  his  success  in  his  daring  enterprises,  or  to 
a  desire  for  revenge  by  those  who  could  not  defeat  him  in  actual 
warfare  or  whose  plans  miscarried  through  his  efforts. 

Dr.  Hepworth,  in  reviewing  "Mosby's  Rangers"  in  the  New  York 
Herald,  said: 

"During  the  war  no  name  evoked  more  terror  or  called  for  more 
curses  than  that  of  Mosby.  He  and  his  rangers  were  about  as 
thoroughly  hated  and  feared  as  any  men  could  well  be.  We  were 
taught  at  the  time  that  he  and  they  were  the  very  incarnation  of 
diabolism,  that  they  killed  just  for  the  fun  of  killing,  that  they  in 
augurated  a  carnival  of  crime,  and  we  rang  the  changes  on  their 

murderous  deeds  until  we  are 
all  horror  struck.  The  simple 
truth  is  that  they  were  a  set  of 
daredevils  with  a  daredevil  for 
leader,  but  they  were  by  no 
means  as  bad  as  they  were 
painted.'5 

It  was  this  daredevil  reputa 
tion  which  Mosby  and  his  men 
had  acquired,  combined  with  the 
boldness  and  audacity  of  their 
acts,  that  often  insured  success. 
When  we  met  men  with  the 
same  amount  of  pluck — men  like 
Ferris  and  Blazer — we  not  only 
received  a  check  at  times,  but 
sometimes  got  worsted. 

The  best  evidence  of  Mos 
by's  skill  and  efficiency  is  shown 
by  his  remarkable  career.  Start 
ing  out  as  a  solitary  scout,  he  next  appears  at  the  head  of  a  small 
squad  of  detailed  men,  then  the  dashing  leader  of  a  body  of  cavalry 
who  not  only  annoyed  and  harassed  but  often  crippled  and  embar 
rassed  the  movements  of  the  Federal  commanders,  and  by  his 
capacity  to  devise  and  his  ability  to  execute  won  for  himself  success 
and  gained  the  confidence  of  his  superiors,  who  eventually  intrusted 
him  with  the  guardianship  of  the  whole  section  of  country  from  the 
Rappahannock  to  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  also  the  Valley. 

His  activity  and  untiring  energy  seemed  really  wonderful.  After 
marching  all  day  he  would  sometimes  order  a  halt  to  rest  the  men 
and  horses,  while  he  would  start  off  with  one  or  two  men,  go  over 
the  field  of  his  intended  enterprise  and,  coming  back,  throw  himself 


LIEUT.  FOUNTAIN  BEATTIE,  CO.  E. 

From  photograph  taken  1895 


•APPENDIX.  449 

on  the  ground  for  an  hour's  sleep,  and  then  off  to  attack  or  surprise 
a  Federal  camp  or  post. 

To  speak  of  Mosby  in  disparaging  terms  because  he  was  a  partisan 
is  to  asperse  the  fair  fame  of  Marion,  Lee,  Snmter  and  those  daring 
leaders  whose  brilliant  achievements  are  dwelt  on  with  pride  in 
recounting  the  glorious  deeds  of  our  illustrious  heroes  of  the  War 
of  the  Revolution. 

Before  commencing  this  article  I  thought  to  devote  it  entirely  to 
"Mosby,"  but  when  I  started  to  write,  found  I  had  to  change  the 
title  to  "Mosby  and  His  Men" — I  found  it  was  impossible  to  separate 
Mosby  from  his  men — "My  Men"  as  he  still  fondly  calls  them.  It 
was  "My  Men"  in  the  dark  days  of  the  war.  It  was  "My  Men"  when 
he  penned  his  letter  to  General  Lee,  saying  the  enemy  captured  six  of 
"My  Men"  near  Front  Royal;  these  were  immediately  hung  by  order 
and  in  the  presence  of  General  Custer.  And  so  it  was  in  his  letter 
to  Sheridan,  notifying  him  that  an  equal  number  of  Custer  and 
Powell's  command  had  been  executed  in  retaliation  for  "My  Men" 
hung  and  shot  in  Front  Royal.  At  the  time  of  the  surrender  he 
advised  "My  Men"  to  accept  the  terms  of  parole,  while  he  himself 
went  forth  a  wanderer,  with  a  price  set  on  his  head.  And  after  he 
bade  them  farewell  at  Salem,  some  of  "My  Men"  clung  to  their  old 
leader,  unwilling  to  leave  him — content  to  cast  their  fortunes  in  the 
same  mold  and  let  chance  shape  their  futures.  A  faithful  few  still 
followed  him  South. 

So  it  was  when  I  last  saw  him — his  mind,  his  memory  and  his 
talk  would  always  revert  to  the  old  theme,  and  in  words  which  showed 
plainly  by  their  expression  that  they  came  from  the  heart — "My  Men" 
stood  in  the  foreground  of  every  picture. 

Col.  Chapman's  Account  of  the  Killing  of  the  Picket,  Mentioned  on 
Page  213,  and  Events  Following. 

Having  been  the  actor  in  that  adventure  and  the  man  who  killed 
the  picket  in  question,  I  will  give  a  full  account  of  how  it  occurred. 

It  was  desirable  for  the  success  of  our  operations  within  the 
Federal  lines  that  this  outpost  should  be  captured,  and  I  had  under 
taken1  in  person  to  perform  the  duty.  It  was  my  purpose  to  capture, 
not  to  kill,  the  picket.  To  attain  this  object  I  dispatched  a  man  to 
approach  the  picket  from  the  rear  and  make  the  capture,  whilst  I 
from  the  front  should  engage  his  attention.  This  plan  was  frus 
trated  by  the  tardy  movement  of  this  man.  As  I  approached  from 
the  front  I  found  that  the  soldier  was  on  his  guard.  Finding  that  my 
man  did  not  come  to  take  him  in  the  rear,  I  was  compelled  to 
demand  his  surrender,  which  he  refused.  The  question  then  was 
which  of  us  should  be  killed.  We  both  fired  and  the  result  was  the 
death  of  the  picket.  As  the  occurrence  did  not  take  place  in  sight  of 
any  Federal  soldiers  the  inference  was  drawn  when  the  man  was 
found  that  he  had  been  bushwhacked. 


450 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


The  picket  was  killed  near  Mrs.  Sowers'  house  in  the  early  part 
of  the  night  of  August  19,  1864,  and  the  fight  took  place  at  Colonel 
Morgan's  house  about  2  p.  m.  the  following  day.  I  had  with  me 
portions  of  companies  C,  D  and  E.  They  were  in  the  woods  not  far 
from  Mrs.  Sowers'  house.  After  the  killing  of  the  picket,  I  moved 
my  men  to  a  body  of  woods  near  Castleman's  Ferry,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  turnpike.  Soon  after  daylight  I  went  with  John  Heffle- 
bower  and  G.  S.  Lofland  in  the  direction  of  Custer's  camp,  which  was 
not  far  from  Berryville.  On  approaching  Hefflebower's  father's 
house,  in  plain  view  of  Custer's  camp,  I  left  Hefflebower  and  Lofland 
about  100  yards  from  the  house  in  a  lane,  and  rode  up  to  the  house 
alone.  Mr.  Hefflebower,  Sr.,  met  me  at  the  gate.  I  had  observed 

two  cavalrymen  approaching 
the  house  on  the  side  oppo 
site  to  the  camp.  I  engaged 
Mr.  Hefflebower  in  conversa 
tion,  and  while  talking  the 
two  cavalrymen  rode  up  in 
front  of  me.  I  had  my  pistol 
under  my  thigh  in  front  of 
me.  I  had  on  at  this  time 
an  old  oilcloth,  which  pro 
tected  me  from  the  drizzling 
rain  and  concealed  my  uni 
form.  I  demanded  their  sur- 
•  y  v  render,  at  the  same  time  pre 

senting  my   pistol,  and   both 

mjjP**     to£  *•  surrendered.    A  few  minutes 

before  this  I  had  observed 
a  single  cavalryman  coming 
directly  from  the  camp 
towards  the  house.  I  opened 
the  gate  leading  into  the 


S.  B.  BISPHAM,  CO.  D. 
From  a  war-time  picture. 


lane  where  my  two  comrades 
were  standing,  and  directed  the  two  prisoners  to  pass  into  it.  They 
were  immediately  met  by  young  Hefflebower  and  Lofland.  I  then 
turned  to  capture  the  single  horseman  whom  I  had  seen  approaching. 
Not  observing  that  I  was  a  Confederate  soldier,  he  dismounted  from 
his  horse,  threw  the  reins  over  a  post  to  the  yard  fence  and  walked 
up  to  the  porch  where  Mrs.  Hefflebower  was  standing.  I  dis 
mounted  and  walked  up  to  his  side.  He  turned  as  I  approached  and 
extended  a  plug  of  tobacco,  asking  me  if  it  was  not  a  good  article 
of  tobacco.  I  told  him  I  expected  it  was,  but  I  wanted  him  to  go 
with  me.  He  replied  "That  is  all  right,  but  I  want  to  get  some 
tobacco  for  the  boys  first."  I  told  him  I  had  no  time  to  wait 
for  that,  and  reached  for  his  pistol  and  took  it  from  the  holster. 
His  expression  showed  great  surprise  and  he  exclaimed,  "The  devil 
you  say."  He  told  me  afterwards  he  thought  I  was  one  of  the 


APPENDIX.  451 

provost  guard  gathering  up  those  who  were  straggling  from  the 
camp,  and  as  he  had  permission  to  leave  camp  he  was  not  concerned 
about  my  demands  on  him  until  I  took  his  pistol. 

In  making  my  way  back  to  where  I  had  left  my  command  I  came 
in  full  view  of  Col.  Ware's  house,  which  at  that  time  was  surrounded 
by  Federal  cavalry.  I  continued  riding  towards  them  until  I  came 
to  the  road  leading  from  Castleman's  Ferry  turnpike  to  Harper's 
Ferry,  then  turned  as  if  going  to  Harper's  Ferry.  The  soldiers 
around  Col.  Ware's  house  called  to  us  in  a  loud  tone  to  hold  up.  I 
pretended  not  to  hear  them  and,  seeing  they  were  preparing  to  follow 
us,  we  sprang  into  a  gallop  and  outran  them.  We  kept  on  until  we 
rejoined  my  men  in  the  woods  near  the  Ferry.  I  had  been  there  but 
a  short  time  when  I  went  out  on  the  turnpike  in  front  of  us,  and 
looking  in  the  direction  of  Berryville  saw  smoke  and  flames  bursting 
from  the  house  of  Mr.  McCormick.  With  two  or  three  men  I  gal 
loped  up  to  the  house  and  found  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCormick  in  the 
yard  in  much  distress,  and  learned  from  McCormick  that  his  house 
had  been  fired  by  the  Federal  soldiers  by  order  of  Gen.  Custer,  who 
had  given  an  order  to  burn  the  houses  of  five  prominent  citizens 
because  of  the  killing  of  a  picket  the  night  before.  He  informed  me 
that  they  had  gone  over  to  burn  Col.  Morgan's  house.  I  learned 
afterwards  that  this  was  the  same  party  we  had  encountered  at  Col. 
Ware's  house.  I  directed  one  of  the  men  with  me,  James  A.  Flint,  of 
Culpeper,  to  gallop  back  to  where  I  had  left  my  men  and  tell  Capt. 
Sam  Chapman  to  bring  the  men  on  to  Col.  Morgan's,  where  the  Yan 
kees  had  gone  to  burn  his  house.  The  men  were  brought  up  very 
hurriedly,  and  I  met  them  just  before  reaching  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Sowers,  which  was  then  in  flames — both  the  house  and  barn.  The 
ladies  and  children  were  in  the  yard,  crying.  When  they  recognized 
us  they  cried  out,  "We  are  rebels  still  .if  we  are  burned  out  of  house 
and  home,"  and  pointed  to  the  Federal  soldiers  then  around  Col. 
Morgan's  house.  We  kept  on  at  a  brisk  pace,  believing  that  we  could 
get  nearer  to  them  before  they  discovered  who  we  were  than  if  we 
traveled  more  rapidly.  They  saw  us  coming  for  some  distance  and 
evidently  suspected  who  we  were,  as  they  drew  up  in  line  of  battle  to 
meet  us.  I  gave  the  order  to  charge  after  getting  within  100  yards  of 
them.  They  held  their  fire  until  we  were  within  40  yards  of  them, 
and  fortunately  for  us  not  a  shot  took  effect.  We  struck  their  column 
about  the  center  and  threw  them  into  confusion,  and  they  fled  in  the 
direction  of  their  camp.  We  pursued  them  almost  to  their  camp. 
Not  a  single  man  in  my  command  was  wounded. 
W.  H.  CHAPMAN, 

Formerly  Lieut.-Col.  Mosby's  Command. 


452  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


XL. 

Avenged  by  General  Mosby. 


Retaliation  of  the  Guerrilla  for  the  Hanging  of  his  Men. — Charles    Marvin    tells   His   Story. — H< 

was  one  of  the  Condemned,  but  Escaped  after  he  had  seen  all  his  Companions 

Hanged  or  Shot. — An  Untold  Chapter  of  War  History. 


[From  the  Washington  Post,  September  6,  1891. J 

Chas.  E.  Marvin  was  Acting  Quartermaster's  Sergeant  in  the  Second 
New  York  Cavalry,  "  Harris  Light."  The  following  is  his  story  of  his 
capture  and  escape  : 

About  5  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  November — while  we 
lay  in  camp  near  Cedar  Creek,  we  heard  a  shot  or  two,  and  supposed, 
as  was  frequently  the  case,  our  pickets  had  been  driven  in.  A  few 
moments  afterwards  the  bugle  sounded  "  to  horse,"  and  supposing  we 
were  going  to  have  a  skirmish,  I  mounted  my  horse  and  joined  the 
command.  Instead  of  going  toward  the  front,  we  started  to  the  rear, 
and  when  a  short  distance  from  Newtown  we  bivouacked  for  the  night. 
The  weather  was  very  cold  and  the  wind  blew  hard,  still  we  were  com 
pelled  to  stand  in  line  all  night  and  to  build  fires  out  of  such  boards 
and  rubbish  as  we  could  find  close  at  hand.  Wood  was  not  to  be  had, 
and  Colonel  Pennington,  our  commanding  officer,  being  comfortably 
situated,  gave  himself  no  uneasiness. 

In  the  morning  we  received  orders  to  mount,  and  proceeded 
eastward,  toward  the  Shenandoah  River.  We  had  gone  but  a 
short  distance  when  I  spoke  to  the  officer  commanding  our  regiment, 
and  told  him  my  horse  had  cast  a  shoe,  and  as  I  saw  no  prospect  of 
there  being  anything  to  do  but  take  a  long  march,  with  his  permission 
I  would  return  to  camp  and  draw  rations.  Permission  was  given  me, 
when  one  of  the  men  of  my  old  company,  named  James  Bennett,  a 
soldier  of  ability  and  as  brave  a  boy  as  there  was  in  the  regiment,  seeing 
me  start  back,  got  permission  from  his  captain  to  accompany  me,  his 
horse  being  also  badly  used  up. 

We  had  passed  through  Newtown  and  the  infantry  pickets  just  at 
the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  had  gone  but  a  short  distance,  when  a 
party  of  Mosby's  Men,  wearing  our  overcoats,  black  hats  and  top 
bcots,  completely  concealing  their  uniforms,  rode  up  behind  us,  as  if 


APPENDIX.  453 

they,  too,  had  just  passed  the  pickets,  but  there  was  an  elevation 
between  us  so  that  the  pickets  could  not  see  us. 

They  said  :  "Good  morning!" 

I  replied:  "Good  morning,  boys." 

They  asked  :   "  What  regiment  do  you  belong  to  ?" 

I  replied  :  "  Second  New  York  cavalry,  the  '  Harris  Light.'  What 
regiment  is  yours  ?  " 

They  replied  :  "The  Nineteenth  Pennsylvania,"  and  with  that  they 
had  gotten  alongside  of  us,  and  two  of  them  threw  their  horses  right 
square  across  the  road  in  front  of  us,  and  put  their  revolvers,  which  were 
lying  in  front  of  them  on  their  saddles,  in  the  faces  of  Bennett  and  me, 
at  the  same  time  demanding  our  surrender.  There  were  only  two  of 
them.  The  man  who  had  his  revolver  pointed  at  me  showed  shoot  in 
every  wrinkle  of  his  face,  and  he  was  too  far  from  me  to  even  make  an 
attempt  to  strike  the  pistol  from  his  hand.  He  was  finely  mounted, 
and  I  discovered  at  a  glance  (a  man's  mind  discovers  a  great  deal  un 
der  such  circumstances)  that  my  comrade,  Bennett,  was  in  the  Same 
position  as  myself.  I  simply  remarked  to  my  captor  that  it  was  a  re 
markably  cool  proceeding  for  even  this  cool  weather,  and  he  replied  : 

"  Give  me  that  revolver,  or  you  will  be  a  good  deal  cooler  in  a  very 
short  time." 

My  impulse  was  to  draw  my  revolver,  feeling  that  could  I  get  it 
from  my  holster,  which  was  in  the  middle  of  my  back,  I  would,  at  least 
so  far  as  shooting  was  concerned,  have  an  equal  chance  with  him. 
But  he  stopped  me  before  my  hand  could  reach  the  revolver  with  an 
admonition  not  to  touch  it,  but  to  unbuckle  my  belt,  which  I  did.  He 
then  asked  for  my  carbine,  which  was  a  Spencer,  loaded  with  seven 
balls,  and  was  hanging  to  my  saddle.  My  impulse  at  that  mo 
ment  was  to  raise  the  muzzle  to  the  proper  angle,  when  all  I  would 
have  to  do  was  to  pull  the  trigger,  and  one  of  us  at  least  would  be  at 
liberty  for  the  time  being.  I  had  barely  placed  my  hand  upon  the  gun 
when  he  discovered  my  purpose  and  informed  me  that  if  I  made 
another  false  motion  he  would  empty  his  revolver  into  my  body. 

Having  secured  my  aims — Bennett  having  given  up  his  in  the 
same  manner — we  were  turned  east  and  rode  up  on  the  hill  to  a  piece 
of  woods  where  Captain  Montjoy  and  his  company  had  been  watch 
ing  the  command  the  night  before,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  party 
that  captured  us.  We  were  divested  of  our  overcoats,  our  money, 
( watches  and  even  of  our  pipes  and  tobacco. 

We  were  then  taken  to  Captain  Montjo)^  who  wished  to  know 
what  command  we  belonged  to,  and  how  many  there  were  of  us, 
where  we  were  going,  etc.  I  simply  replied  to  the  Captain's  ques 
tion  that  I  was  a  soldier  and  didn't  know  anything.  If  he  wanted 
information  he  would  have  to  go  to  somebody  better  posted  than  I 
was.  He  passed  me  by  with  a  smile  and  questioned  my  comrade, 
Bennett,  who  remarked  that  he  belonged  to  the  same  command  that  I 


454 


MOSBV  S    RANGERS. 


did  and  knew  quite  as  little.  We  then  started  with  some  other 
prisoners  they  had  picked  up,  for  Mosby's  headquarters  at  Ashby's 
Gap,  which  we  reached  in  the  evening  about  seven  o'clock.  As 
nearly  as  I  can  remember,  we  were  taken  to  the  home  of  a  man 
named  Williams  and  were  quartered  in  a  cabin  formerly  used  as 
negro  quarters.  We  had  just  hiid  down  on  the  floor,  after  eating 
a  small  piece  of  corn  bread  and  an  apple,  the  only  food  we  had 
had  for  twenty-four  hours,  as  we  had  nothing  since  we  left  camp  the 
night  before,  when  we  were  aroused  by  the  entrance  of  two  of 

Mosby's  men,  who  ordered  us 
to  get  up.  I,  being  on  the 
right,  was  the  first  one  ques 
tioned  as  to  my  command,  and 
replied  that  I  belonged  to  the 
Second  New  York  Cavalry, 
Custer's  Division,  and  he  said  : 
"  You  are  the  man  we  want." 
Bennett  was  then  asked  the 
same  question,  and  replied, 

"  I  belong  to  the  same  com 
mand." 

He  said:  "  You  are  the  two 
men  we  are  after.  Come  on." 

We  were  taken  down  the 
lane  to  the  road,  where  we 
found  a  party  of  Mosby's  men 
with  seven  prisoners  tied  by  a 
rope,  one  to  the  other,  as  con 
victs  are  handled,  two  of  whom 
were  released,  and  Bennett  and 
I  were  given  their  places.  I 
asked  what  it  meant,  but  re 
ceived  no  reply  except  from 
one  of  the  men  tied  with  the 
rope,  who  motioned  to  me  by 

drawing  his  hand  across  his  throat,  giving  me  to  understand  that  we 
were  to  be  hanged. 

I  immediately  asked  to  see  the  commanding  officer.  He  or  his 
representative  asked  me  what  I  wanted.  I  demanded  the  cause  for 
which  we  were  to  be  executed.  He  replied  that  it  was  in  retaliation 
for  seven  men  executed  by  Custer,  belonging  to  Mosby's  command, 
some  months  previous.  I  told  him  that  at  the  time  that  execution 
took  place  my  regiment  was  not  under  General  Custer.  and  that  we 
had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  it,  being  in  a  different  part  of 
the  country.  He  said  it  made  no  difference  ;  his  orders  were  impera 
tive.  I  then  demanded  to  know  why  it  was  that  a  lieutenant  of  heavy 


J/UCIAN  LOVE,  CO.  D. 

One  of  the  six  Mosby's  Men  killed  at  Front 

Royal  by  Ouster's  command. 


APPENDIX.  455 

artillery  had  been  released  and  I  substituted,  and  a  private  in 
infantry  released  and  Bannett  substituted.  He  said,  "  For  the 
reason,  I  was  told  that  they  had  taken  care  of  the  property  of  citizens 
in  this  part  of  the  country  and  defended  the  women  from  insult 
or  injury."  I  replied  : 

"  My  life  is  in  your  hands ;  if  you  will  take  me  five  miles  in  any  di 
rection  from  where  I  now  stand,  and  I  cannot  find  a  woman  that  will 
say  that  I  have  rendered  her  valuable  assistance,  I  will  forfeit  my 
life  without  a  murmur." 

He  said  he  had  no  power  to  do  anything  of  the  kind,  and  then 
asked  : 

"  Are  you  a  Mason  ?  " 

I  replied,  "  I  am  not  old  enough  to  be  a  Mason." 

"  Is  your  father  a  Mason  ?  " 

"  My  father  belonged  to  nothing  but  the  Abolition  party,  to 
my  knowledge,  but  I  have  a  brother-in-law  who  is  one  of  the  highest 
Masons  in  our  State,  and  should  I  live  and  they  will  accept  me,  I 
expect  to  some  day  be  a  Mason." 

He  said,  "  I  can  do  nothing  for  you  but  to  promise  you  that  if  you 
make  an  escape  you  will  not  be  recaptured  by  me.  nor  by  anyone  else 
if  I  can  prevent  it." ' 

His  talk  was  during  our  progress  down  the  mountain  to  the 
Shenandoah  River  at  Berry's  Ferry,  where  we  crossed,  riding  horses 
behind  the  party  who  had  us  in  charge. 

They  had  stopped  at  several  houses  on  the  way  and  taken  bedcords 
off  the  old-fashioned  corded  bedsteads  with  which  to  hang  us. 

My  name  was  the  first  on  the  death-roll,  and  had  any  attention 
been  paid  to  that,  I  would  have  been  the  first  man  executed,  but 
in  the  search  for  a  tree  upon  which  to  hang  us,  the  line  was  placed  in 
such  a  position  that  I  was  the  farthest  man  on  it  from  the  tree.  The 
first  man  was  gotten  up,  his  hands  tied  behind  him,  a  bed-cord 
doubled  and  tied  around  his  neck ;  he  was  marched  to  a  large  tree  be 
side  the  road,  from  which  a  limb  projected.  He  was  lifted  in  the  air, 
the  rope  taken  by  one  of  the  men  on  horseback  and  tied  to  the  limb, 
and  there  he  was  left  dangling.  Two  more  were  treated  in  the  same 
manner. 

It  took  some  considerable  time  and  our  executioners  were  be 
coming  uneasy,  not  knowing  what  minute  a  party  of  our  troops 
would  pass  that  way,  and  they  decided,  as  they  said,  to  shoot  the 
balance  of  us,  as  "this  hanging  is  too  damned  slow  work."  So  they 
immediately  ordered  us  to  get  up,  when  to  their  dismay  they  dis 
covered  there  were  but  three  of  us,  where  there  should  have  been 
four. 

It  afterwards  turned  out  that  one  of  the  men  had  gotten  loose 
from  the  line,  and  as  we  passed  over  a  ditch  in  a  field  had  dropped 
into  the  ditch  and  escaped.  It  was  a  dark  and  rainy  night. 


456  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Our  hands  were  tied  behind  us  with  a  heavy  bedcord.  I  was  com 
pletely  exhausted,  not  feeling  that  it  would  have  been  possible  for  me 
to  have  walked  a  hundred  yards  farther,  but  I  succeeded  in  freeing 
my  hands,  not  because  I  expected  to  escape,  but  having  seen  men  on 
many  battlefields  who  had  evidently  used  their  hands  in  their  dying 
moments  for  their  comfort  or  relief,  I  thought  mine  might  do  the  same 
for  me. 

Having  reached  the  tree  where  the  three  men  were  hanging,  three 
Confederates  stepped  out  in  front  of  us  and  said  to  those  behind  us 
(we  were  now  standing  side  by  side,  the  three  of  us)  :  "  Get  away  from 
behind  there,  boys."  When  I  said,  "  Is  this  all  the  show  you  are 
going  to  give  us?"  he  replied:  "  It  is  all  you  need,  you  Yankee  - 
— ,"  when  the  three  revolvers  were  placed  in  our  faces. 

The  revolver  on  my  right  went  off,  the  revolver  on  my  left  went 
off,  and  the  revolver  that  was  in  my  face  failed  to  explode.  The  click 
of  the  hammer  on  the  tube  went  through  me  like  an  electric  shock. 

I  caught  my  breath,  raised  onto  the  balls  of  my  feet,  knocked  the 
revolver  one  side,  hit  him  in  the  head,  jumped  over  him  as  he 
fell  into  the  road,  and  as  they  sang  out,  "There  goes  the  big  Yankee 

,"  I  seemed  to  find  new  life,  and  went  at  the  speed  of  a 

streak  of  lightning  down  the  road  about  100  yards,  where  I  entered 
the  same  woods  they  were  in  and  climbed  a  shellbark  hickory  tree. 
Climbing  is  a  feat  I  had  never  been  able  to  perform  when  I  was 
a  boy,  but  I  have  done  a  great  deal  of  hunting,  and  I  don't  think  I 
ever  saw  a  squirrel  go  up  a  tree  faster  than  I  went  up  that  one. 

Here  I  remained  until  I  heard  them  ride  away,  when  I  came  down 
and  started  for  Winchester,  which  I  gathered  from  their  conversation 
was  directly  west  on  the  road  alongside  of  which  they  had  left  my 
comrades  hanging  or  shot.  I  avoided  the  road  until  it  began  to  get 
daylight,  when  feeling  that  I  was  as  safe  in  the  road  as  elsewhere,  and 
the  walking"  being  much  better,  I  came  out  into  the  road  proper  two 
miles  from  the  place  of  the  execution,  where  I  discovered  the  man 
who  had  been  shot  on  my  left,  with  a  shattered  elbow. 

On  receiving  the  wound,  he  had  fallen  down  and  they  had  gone  off 
and  left  him  for  dead,  after  kicking  him  in  the  ribs  and  rolling  him 
over.  This  man's  name  was  Hoffnagle,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
third  New  York.  He  was  very  weak  from  loss  of  blood.  I  walked 
along  slowly  with  him  toward  Winchester  until  it  got  quite  light,  when 
he  insisted  that  I  should  go  and  hide  myself  until  night,  as  a  recapture 
meant  certain  death  for  me,  and  he  would  make  his  way  to  some  house 
to  seek  assistance.  I  replied,  "  I  will  stay  with  you  until  I  find  you 
assistance,"  allowing  him  to  lean  upon  me. 

We  approached  a  large  weather-beaten  house,  at  the  door  of  which 
I  knocked  and  demanded  admittance.  In  answer  to  a  query,  evidently 
from  an  old  woman,  as  to  who  was  there,  I  stated  that  I  had  a  wounded 
man  with  me,  a  Yankee  soldier,  who  needed  assistance.  The  reply 


APPENDIX.  457 

came  back,  "  Wait  a  moment  and  I  will  let  you  in."  It  was  scarcely 
more  than  a  moment  when  a  very  old  and  poorly-clad  woman,  with  a 
saucer  in  which  was  some  grease  and  a  rag,  in  lieu  of  a  better  light, 
opened  the  door  and  admitted  us.  I  told  her  who  we  were.  She  said : 
"Have  nok  fear  ;  I  had  three  of  Custer's  men  in  my  house  when 
Mosby's  Men  were  all  over  it,  looking  for  them  ;  and  I  had  two  of 
Mosby's  Men  concealed  in  my  house  when  Custer's  men  were  here 
looking  for  them.  Any  one  who  comes  to  me  for  assistance  gets  it,  if 
I  can  give  it  to  them." 

At  the  time  of  my  capture  I  had  in  my  possession  a  vest  pocket 
full  of  revolver  caps  that  had  become  water-soaked  until  they  had 
become  worthless.  When  I  reluctantly  parted  with  my  other  assets 
it  was  with  a  twinge  of  pleasure  that  I  gave  up  my  water-soaked  and 
worthless  pistol  caps  and  saw  them  distributed  among  the  Johnnies 
who  appeared  to  be  greatly  in  need  of  such  stores.  They  were  greatly 
in  need  of  caps  that  would  explode,  but  possibly  not  the  kind  I  was 
giving  up.  I  have  often  thought  it  was  more  than  possible  that  my 
would-be  executioner  may  have  received  some  of  these  very  caps  and 
placed  one  of  them  on  his  revolver,  thereby  saving  my  life. 

I  have  told  you  about  the  man  who  was  shot  on  my  left,  but  not 
about  poor  Bennett,  who  stood  on  my  right,  and  whom  I  supposed,  as 
did  Hoffnagle,  had  been  killed.  The  shot  Bannett  received  was  in  the 
shoulder  from  a  Colt's  navy  revolver,  not  more  than  two  feet  distant, 
which  he  said  afterward  scarcely  moved  him,  and  he  exclaimed  : 

"  For  God's  sake  kill  me  if  you  are  going  to  !  Don't  torture  me  to 
death." 

A  pistol  was  then  placed  close  to  the  left  side  of  his  head  and  fired. 
The  ball  entered  just  at  the  top  of  his  cheekbone  and  about  half  an 
inch  back  of  his  eye,  passing  entirely  through  his  head  and  carrying 
out  his  right  eye.  This  knocked  him  over,  but  did  not  deprive  him  of 
consciousness ;  so  you  can  guess  what  kind  of  stuff  he  was  made  of. 
As  soon  as  his  would-be  executioners  rode  away,  he  got  up,  crawled  to 
a  tree  and  supporting  himself  against  it  until  morning,  a  man  passing 
with  a  little  girl,  found  him  there.  The  child  led  him  to  the  house  of 
an  ex-Confederate  surgeon,  who  dressed  his  wounds  and  took  care  of 
him  until  he  had  a  chance  to  send  him  to  the  hospital  at  Winchester. 
He  got  well — as  well  as  a  blind  man  can  get,  who  has  a  package  of  lead 
in  his  body  for  which  he  has  no  use.  He  gets  a  pension,  but  his  papers 
were  returned  three  different  times,  and  I  swore  myself  black  in  the 
face  before  he  got  it.  I  finally  told  the  examiner  to  write  down  what  it 
was  necessary  for  me  to  swear  to  in  order  to  get  Bennett  his  pension 
and  I  would  swear  to  it  without  reading  the  paper.  He  got  it.  He  is 
now,  or  was  the  last  I  heard  of  him,  living  in  Lafayette,  Ind. 

Mosby's  letter  to  Sheridan  shows  that  it  was  written  before  he  was 
aware  of  all  the  facts  in  the  case. 

The  execution  did  not  take  place  on  the  Valley  pike,  as  he  says,  and 


458  MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 

we  know,  as  told  in  the  foregoing  story,  that  seven  men  were  not  exe 
cuted. 

Sheridan,  however,  informed  Mosby  in  reply  that  he  did  not  coun 
tenance  such  a  mode  of  warfare. 


XLI. 

Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 

The  accompanying  letters  were  received  by  Comrade  S.  R.  Arm 
strong,  of  Company  E,  from  one  of  our  old  opponents  in  the  Four 
teenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  will  be  read  with  interest. 

Clarion,  Pa.,  Dec.  6,  1894. 
S.  R.  ARMSTRONG  : 

DEAR  SIR  :  Pardon  me  for  being  so  tardy  in  answering  your  wel 
come  letter,  which  came  to  hand  Sept.  3d.  Shortly  after  receiving 
it,  I  went  to  the  National  Encampment  of  the  Grand  Army  at  Pitts 
burgh,  Pa.,  Sept.  loth.  I  remained  there  a  week  with  my  old 
comrades  and  had  a  very  pleasant  time.  Then  came  home  and  took 
an  active  part  in  the  political  campaign  to  Nov.  6,  1894,  helping  to  roll 
up  a  big  Republican  majority  in  this  State,  and,  by  the  way,  we 
got  it. 

I  remember  distinctly  some  of  the  engagements  our  regiment  (the 
Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry)  had  with  Colonel  John  S.  Mosby's 
command.  The  first  engagement  you  mention  in  your  letter  I  took 
part  in  was  near  "Camp  Russell,"  Va.,  about  3  miles  south  of 
Winchester,  on  the  road  leading  from  that  place  to  Front  Royal,  on 
Thanksgiving  Day,  November,  1864.  Mosby's  command  made  a  dash 
and  captured  our  wagon  train  and  a  small  guard  protecting  it,  which 
was  out  foraging  in  the  direction  of  Millwood.  After  sending  the  train 
and  prisoners  to  the  rear,  you  made  another  dash  at  our  camp.  We 
were  eating  our  Thanksgiving  dinner  when  you  made  the  attack. 
We  thought  it  very  ungrateful  in  you  to  interrupt  us  while  we  were 
enjoying  the  good  things  of  the  land  at  our  annual  feast. 

"  Boots  and  Saddles  "  were  sounded  and  we  rushed  for  the  "  horse 
line,"  saddled  and  mounted  quickly.  Your  command  was  then  in  line 
just  across  a  ravine  south  of  our  camp,  perhaps  300  yards  distant. 
Our  batallion  was  on  the  right  of  the  regiment  and  nearest  your 
command.  We  commenced  firing  at  you  with  our  carbines  from  the 
"horse  line."  I  had  fired  but  one  or  two  shots  when  Captain  Walker, 
of  Company  F,  dashed  up  and  gave  the  command  to  charge.  We 
charged,  with  Walker  leading,  and  drove  you  back  with  but  little  or 


APPENDIX. 


459 


no  resistance,  and  pursued  you  sharply  to  Millwood,  some  7  or  8  miles 
from  camp. 

In  this  dash  John  Feit,  of  Company  K,  captured  one  of  your  men, 
a  short,  thick-set  fellow,  with  plenty  of  pluck,  who  had  lost  his  horse 
and  could  not  keep  up  with  the  procession  any  longer.  On  his  way 
back  to  camp  with  the  prisoner,  Feit  met  the  Adjutant  of  the  First 
West  Virginia  Cavalry,  on  his 
way  to  the  front,  who  said  to 
Feit,  "  Is  that  one  of  Mosby's 
men  ?  "  Feit  replied  that  he 
was.  "You  must  not  take 
any  of  them  prisoners  of 
war,"  said  the  Adjutant,  and 
drawing  his  revolver,  shot  the 
prisoner  dead.1  Feit  became 
infuriated  and  would  have 
shot  the  Adjutant  if  he  had 
had  a  load  in  his  pistol  or  any 
ammunition  to  put  in  it.  No 
braver  or  better  soldier  ever 
wore  the  blue  than  John  Feit, 
and  to  this  day  he  feels  regret 
for  the  killing  of  that  pris 
oner. 

Captain  Duff  and  Sergeant 
McLaughlin  of  our  Company 
still  pursued  about  a  mile  be 
yond  Millwood  and  captured 
a  prisoner  and  returned  to  camp  with  him  about  6  o'clock  that  even 
ing.  He  was  a  large,  fine-looking  man,  with  long,  black,  wavy  hair.  He 
claimed  his  home  was  in  Richmond,  and  that  his  mother  was  a  widow.8 

The  prisoner  had  not  been  in  camp  long  till  the  West  Virginia 
Cavalry  found  it  out  and  demanded  that  he  be  turned  over  for  execu 
tion.  Captain  Duff  said,  "  No,  gentlemen  ;  I  will  turn  him  over  to 
nobody  but  General  Tibbitts,  commander  of  the  brigade."  After  the 
prisoner  was  given  his  supper  he  was  taken  to  the  General's  head 
quarters  under  a  strong  guard,  as  a  prisoner  of  war. 

In  the  afternoon  we  retook  most  of  our  wagon  train  which  had 
been  captured  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  day  by  your  command. 

If  our  command  (the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry)  had  a 
brush  with  Mosby's  command  at  Berryville,  I  cannot  recall  it,  and  I 
know  I  was  not  in  it  or  I  would  remember  something  about  it. 


1  This  young  man  who  was  killed  was  T.  A.  Carpenter,  of  Company  E,   Forty-third  Batallion, 
Virginia  Cavalry.     He  is  buried  in   the   Stonewall  Cemetery,  at   Winchester,  Va.     He  was  from 
Madison  County,  Va.  . 

2  This  captured  prisoner  was  Frank  Angelo,  of  Company  C. 


S.  R.  ARMSTRONG,  CO.  E. 


460  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

There  were  several  engagements  which  our  regiment  had  with 
Mosby's  command  during  the  rebellion  which  I  have  not  the  time  now 
to  tell  you  the  merits  or  demerits  of,  as  I  saw  them  from  our  side 
of  the  conflict. 

Our  regimental  Reunion  will  be  held  next  year  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
some  time  in  the  month  of  October,  1895,  and  I  know  our  boys  will 
be  glad  to  meet  any  of  the  Confederates  that  can  be  there.  We  want 
to  go  around  and  see  some  of  the  old  battlefields  in  the  Valley.  The 
war  is  over  for  nearly  thirty  years  and  we  are  one  people. 

Yours  respectfully, 

J.  J.  FRAZIER. 


Clarion,  Pa.,  August  12,   1895. 
S.  R.  ARMSTRONG,    Woodville,   Va.: 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  kind  invitation  to  the  Reunion  of  Mosby's 
Men  at  Marshall,  Va.,  on  Wednesday,  Aug.  i4th,  1895,  is  at  hand. 

I  can  assure  you  that  I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  be  with  you  on 
that  occasion.  Not  that  I  have  any  sympathy  for  the  cause  for  which 
you  battled  so  long  and  hard  more  than  thirty  years  ago  ;  but  I  would 
like  to  look  on  the  faces  of  those  brave  and  dashing  men  that  our  old 
regiment  (the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry)  met  in  so  many  well- 
contested  battles,  and  see  what  wonderful  changes  thirty  years  have 
made  upon  them. 

My  old  Captain  David  K.  Duff,  Company  K,  Fourteenth  Pennsyl 
vania  Cavalry,  was  personally  known  to  some  of  your  command  at  least. 
He  was  badly  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  a  fight  in  February, 
1865,  near  Snicker's  Ford,  on  the  Shenandoah,3  and  kept  at  a  little 
place  in  the  mountains — I  think  it  was  called  Paris  ;  we  recaptured 
him  there  about  ten  days  afterwards,  and  took  him  to  Winchester, 
where  he  partially  recovered  from  his  wounds.  He  died  eight  years 
ago  at  his  home  at  Elderton,  Pa.  No  braver  soldier  than  Duff  ever 
drew  a  sword. 

Our  regiment  (Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry)  expect  to  hold 
their  reunion  this  year  at  Harper's  Ferry,  some  time  in  October. 
I  will  send  you  the  date  as  soon  as  I  get  it.  I  want  to  attend  that  re 
union  if  I  possibly  can. 

My  kindest  regards  to  you  and  all  the  old  boys. 

Wishing  you  all  a  happy  and  grand  reunion,  I  remain, 
Yours  respectfully, 

J.  J.  FRAZIER, 

Co.  A',   I4///  Pa.  Cavalry. 

8  Captain  Duff  was  wounded  in  the  Mt.  Carmel  fight. 


APPENDIX. 


461 


XLII. 

List  of  "  Mosbys  Men  "  Confined  in  Room  No.  2,  Fort    Warren,  Boston 
Harbor,  Mass.,  Released  J tine  13,  1865. 

H.  G.  Harris,  of  Bluefield,  West  Va.,  formerly  of  Company  D,  Forty- 
third  Battalion,  Virginia  Cavalry,  wrote  as  follows  : 

I  send  you  a  list  of  the  boys  confined  at  Fort  Warren,  Boston 
Harbor;  that  is,  in  my 
room,  No.  2.  There  were 
six  rooms,  in  which  pris 
oners  were  kept,  but 
Mosby's  Men  were  mostly 
in  Rooms  Nos.  i,  2  and  3. 
I  think  all  in  my  room  be 
longed  to  our  command. 
You  know  I  was  captured 
the  last  of  October,  1864 
and  was  sent  direct  to  the 
Old  Capitol  Prison  at 
Washington,  D.  C.,  which 
was  a  receiving  prison. 
After  a  sufficient  number 
were  got  together  they 
were  sent  off  to  other  pris 
ons.  Mosby's  Men  were 
considered  too  desperate 
to  be  treated  as  ordinary 
prisoners,  so  they  wrere 
held  until  February  ist, 
when  we  were  informed 
that  we  would  be  sent  to 
Fort  Warren. 

There  was  some  talk  of 

an  attempt  to  overpower  the  guards  between  Washington  and  Balti 
more  and  make  our  escape;  so  the  next  day  when  the  guard  marched 
up,  we  saw  that  each  soldier  had  a  pair  of  handcuffs  dangling  from  his 
belt,  and  like  a  lot  of  criminals  in  the  prison  yard  of  the  Old  Capitol 
we  were  handcuffed,  two  and  two,  and  the  chains  were  not  taken  off 
until  the  second  day  after  we  were  landed  in  the  casemates  at  Fort 
Warren.  On  the  cars  there  was  a  guard  on  every  other  seat,  and  a 
squad  at  each  end  of  the  car. 

The  only  escape  made  while  I  was  in  prison  was  John  Munson,  from 
the  Old  Capitol ;  and  the  only  death  among  our  boys  during  the  eight 


H.  G.  HARRIS,  CO.  D. 


462  MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 

months  was  that  of  Aquilla  Glascock,  at  the  hospital  at   Fort  Warren. 
He  and  I  occupied  adjoining  bunks. 

Aylor,  J,  L.,  Slate  Mills,  Va. 

Barr,  Charles  N.,  Herndon,  Va. 

Bencke,  John  H.,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Butler,  W.  B.,  Fairfax  Station,  Va. 

Caldwell,  C.  E.,  Hillsboro,  Va. 

Chancellor,  J.  M.,  Flint  Hill,  Va, 

Claggett,  Johnson,  New  Baltimore,  Va. 

Cocke,  W.  S.,  Salem,  Fauquier  Co.,  Va. 

Coons,  F.  A.,  Oak  Shade,  Va. 

Cummings,  G.  W.,  Oak  Vale,  Va. 

Davis,  Americus,  Alexandria,  Va. 

Davis,  G.  C.,  Flint  Hill,  Va. 

Davis,  L.  M.,  Orlean,  Va. 

Delaplane,  J.  H.,  Buckland,  Va, 

Farr,  Resin  S.,  Buckland,  Va. 

Fletcher,  Benton,  Warrenton,  Va. 

Flynn,  Wm.  S.,  Salem,  Fauquier  Co.,  Va. 

Follin,  Ira,  Vienna,  Va. 

Grey,  Alfred,  Linden,  Va. 

Griffin,  G.  C.,  Abingdon,  Va. 

Goura,  J.  A.,  England. 

Harris,  H.  G.,  Scottsville,  Va. 

Hooe,  R.  M.,  Hillsboro,  Va. 

Hopkins,  J.  E.,  Bloomneld,  Va. 

Houdershell,  R.  A.,  The  Plains,  Va. 

Huni;,  S.  W.,  Vienna,  Va. 

Hunt,  Lewis,  Vienna,  Va. 

Hunton,  John  W.,  Buckland,  Va. 

Hutchinson,  J.  R.,  Arcola,  Va. 

Johnson,  James,  Markham,  Va. 

Jones,  E.  M.,  Williamsburg,  Va. 

Kennedy,  Thomas,  Ireland. 

Kephart,  J.  R.,  Belmont,  Va. 

Lake,  Thomas  W.,  Warrenton,  Va. 

Lane,  D.  F.,  Arcola,  Va. 

Love,  Thomas  R.,  Fairfax  Court-House,  Va. 

McDonald,  James,  Scotland. 

Mcllhany,  H.  M.,  Warrenton,  Va. 

Mclntosh,  J.  T.,  Leesburg,  Va. 

Marchant,  John  A.,  Charlottesville,  Va. 

Massie,  J.  R.,  Salem,  Fauquier  Co.,  Va. 

Moran,  Richard,  Arcola,  Va. 

Muse,  John,  Belmont,  Va. 

Musser,  Wm.  H.,  Middlebrook,  Montgomery  Co.,  Md. 


APPENDIX.  463 

Nelson,  L.  M.,  Culpeper  Court-House,  Va. 

Nicholas,  Charles,  Va.    (Think  he  was  captured  before  he  joined  the 
command.) 

Oden,  Archibald,  Martinsburg,  Va. 
Orrison,  Robert,  Pleasant  Valley,  Va. 
Parrott,  Robert,  Charlottesville,  Va. 
Pontier,  Nathaniel,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Price,  C.  D.,  Hillsboro,  Va. 
Price,  Joseph,  Harper's  Ferry,  Va. 
Prosser,  R.  Hylton,  Mississippi. 
Reed,  J.  R.,  Oak  Vale,  Va. 
Richards,  Henry,  Leesburg,  Va. 
Russell,  T.  A.,  Easton,  Md. 
Skillman,  Samuel,  Leesburg,  Va. 
Skinner,  George,  Aldie,  Va. 
Smith,  D.  L.,  Fredencksburg,  Va. 
Thomas,  Robert,  Oak  Vale,  Va. 
Tongue,  T.  W.,  Warrenton,  Va. 
Wharton,  H.  A.,  Richmond,  Va. 
Williams,  John,  Upperville,  Va. 


XLIII. 

LIEUT.-COL.  WILLIAM  H.  CHAPMAN. 

Chapman  in  the  Miskel  Fight, 

In  the  account  of  the  Miskel  fight  in  Chapter  III,  the  name  of  Wil 
liam  H.  Chapman  is  not  mentioned.  This  omission  was  not  noticed 
until  too  late  for  correction.  Chapman  not  only  participated  in  that 
affair,  but  fired  almost  the  first  shot.  He  was  made  prisoner  by  a 
party  of  Federal  soldiers  that  he  attempted  to  capture  alone  on  the 
north  side  of  the  turnpike,  and  about  2  miles  from  Miskel's  house.  He 
was  afterwards  recaptured  by  four  of  our  men,  who  dashed  up  just  as  the 
party  was  going  into  the  woods.  Chapman  snatched  a  pistol  from  one  of 
the  Federals  riding  near  him  and  aided  in  capturing  6  or  7  prisoners. 

The  St.  Louis  Post-Dispatch,  September  22,  1895,  contained  the  fol 
lowing  sketch: 

How  He  Saved  Boston  Corbett. — Internal  Revenue  Agent  Chapman's 
Thrilling  Experience. 

Mr.  Chapman,  the  United  States  Internal  Revenue  Agent  for  this 
•division,  whose  rrvission  in  life  just  now  is  the  enforcement  of  Uncle 
Sam's  tax  laws,  was  not  always  a  Federal  official. 

One  bright  day  in  June,  1863,  when  he  was  Colonel  Mosby's  chief 
subordinate,  Mr.  Chapman — then  Captain  and  later  Lieutenant-Colonel 


464  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

— saved  the  life  of  "  Boston"  Corbett,  the  Union  soldier  who  shot  and 
killed  J.  Wilkes  Booth,  the  assassin  of  President  Lincoln.  The  story 
of  that  day's  scrimmage  and  its  thrilling  climax  is  one  of  many 
which  Mr.  Chapman  can  tell,  and  it  is  deeply  interesting. 


It  was  in  the  midst  of  the  great  civil  strife  that  the  Confederate 
Congress  passed  a  bill  authorizing  Captain  Mosby  to  organize  a  bat 
talion  authorized  to  war  on  the  Union  forces  between  the  Potomac  and 
Rappahanock  rivers,  in  Virginia.  The  troopers  were  daring  raiders. 

Mr.  Chapman  was  a  junior  captain  under  Mosby  when  the  Corbett 
episode  happened.  The  command,  about  sixty  strong,  was  advancing 
along  a  highway  on  the  borders  of  Prince  William  County,  Virginia. 
Mosby  and  Captain  Chapman  were  in  advance,  and  they  scoured  the 
surrounding  county  for  signs  of  the  enemy.  Scouting  parties  made  daily 
excursions  from  the  camps  around  Washington,  D.  C.,  to  watch  the 
enemy.  Mosby  was  looking  for  a  brush  with  these  small  bodies,  and 
his  sharp  eyes  were  rewarded. 

Near  an  old  Southern  manor,  to  the  right  of  the  road  was  a  troop 
of  Federal  cavalry.  The  horses  were  feasting  on  the  new-mown  hay 
which  littered  the  field.  The  soldiers  were  lounging  about  with  fatal 
indifference.  Some  were  in  the  house,  others  in  the  barn,  a  few  were  in 
the  hay  field  and  quite  a  number  were  up  in  the  cherry  trees  which 
flanked  the  graceful  driveway  leading  to  the  house. 

"Cnapman,  take  the  men  with  you  and  catch  those  fellows,"  said 
Mosby  to  his  Lieutenant  in  a  satisfied  way.  He  had  no  doubt  that 
the  Federal  troopers  could  be  trapped  easily  on  account  of  their  unsus 
pecting  conduct.  Captain  Chapman  gave  the  word  of  command  and 
set  out  at  a  tsrrific  pace  for  the  manor  gate.  They  wheeled  into  the  lane 
and  forced  their  blooded  horses  at  top  speed,  for  they  wished. to  take 
the  enemy  completely  by  surprise  and  give  them  not  even  a  moment  to 
form  themselves  for  defense.  The  ready  weapon  of  Mosby's  nun,  the 
revolver,  was  in  each  trooper's  hand.  As  they  advanced  the  surprised 
cherry-eaters  dropped  out  of  the  trees  and  hid  in  the  grass.  Chap 
man  left  a  few  men  behind  to  corral  these,  and  he  continued  on  toward 
the  main  body. 

He  wheeled  in  front  of  the  house  and  went  to  the  right  of  it.  He 
led  his  men  through  the  barnyard  and  out  into  the  hayfield.  At 
sight  of  the  enemy  in  their  midst,  the  Union  soldiers  became  panic- 
stricken.  They  lacked  organization  and  few  of  them  had  their  weapons. 

They  fled  precipitately,  and  Captain  Chapman  sent  his  men  after 
them  in  squads.  They  brought  back  prisoners  in  bunches  and  rounded 
up  all  the  chargers.  But  a  few  had  scurried  from  the  hay  field  into  a 
pasture  to  the  left  of  the  house  and  made  for  the  woods.  In  the 
excitement  they  got  beyond  the  range  of  the  deadly  revolvers,  and 
Captain  Chapman  ordered  "  Bush."  Underwood,  one  of  the  best  soldiers 
in  the  command,  to  pursue  them. 


APPENDIX.  465 

"  Bush  "  was  a  brave  but  discreet  soldier.  He  was  born  and  reared 
in  the  country  where  Mosby  operated,  and  he  knew  every  nook  and 
cranny  on  both  sides  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  Captain  Chapman  knew  the 
man  and  had  no  doubt  that  he  would  execute  the  command  to  the 
letter.  In  a  few  minutes  Underwood  returned  with  severa?  prisoners. 

"Captain,"  said  he,  "  there  is  one  fellow  over  there  that  gave  us 
some  trouble.  He  is  sheltered  by  a  persimmon  tree  and  a  small  ditch, 
and  he  has  a  seven-shooter  repeating  rifle." 

Captain  Chapman  listened  to  this  report  and  directed  Underwood 
to  return  and  get  the  fellow. 

Underwood  returned  with  more  prisoners,  but  the  man  behind  the 
persimmon  tree  was  still  at  work  with  his  rifle.  Captain  Chapman  was 
not  pleased  when  Underwood  reported  his  second  failure.  He  knew 
the  man's  courage,  however,  and  told  him  to  go  a  third  time.  Captain 
Chapman  went  along  and  took  about  eight  men  with  him.  A  body  of 
twenty  men  swept  toward  that  persimmon  tree.  The  Spencer  rifle 
cracked  repeatedly,  but  did  no  damage,  and  in  a  moment  the  horse 
men  were  on  the  brink  of  the  ditch  where  the  Union  soldier  was 
concealed. 

The  first  map  to  dismount  was  Underwood  and  he  did  so  in  a  man 
ner  that  startled  Captain  Chapman.  The  man  was  wild  with  rage  at  his 
two  failures  to  catch  the  fellow  behind  the  tree,  and  he  sprang  head 
first  out  of  his  saddle  and  over  his  horse's  head.  He  did  this  by 
bringing  his  charger  to  an  abrupt  stop.  Underwood  alighted  at  the 
feet  of  the  Union  soldier,  and  with  a  quick  movement  he  knocked  the 
Spencer  rifle  to  the  ground.  At  the  same  instant  he  drew  his  revolver 
and  pointed  it  at  the  head  of  the  disarmed  prisoner.  He  would  have 
blown  the  man's  brains  out,  had  not  Captain  Chapman  said  in  a  stern 
voice  : 

"  Don't  shoot  that  man  !  He  has  a  right  to  defend  himself  to  the 
last !  " 

Underwood  obeyed  and  lowered  his  weapon.  The  prisoner  was 
sent  to  Richmond  and  Captain  Chapman  forgot  the  incident  in  the  mad 
rush  of  war. 


Two  years  later  Wilkes  Booth  killed  President  Lincoln  and  the 
assassin  fled  southward  from  Washington.  He  crossed  the  northern 
neck  of  Virginia  and  when  a  troop  of  Federal  cavalry  pressed  him 
closely,  he  took  refuge  in  a  barn  on  the  south  side  of  the  Rappa- 
hanock.  The  soldiers  set  fire  to  the  barn  and  one  of  them  shot  and 
killed  Booth  when  he  appeared  in  the  midst  of  the  smoke  and  flames. 
That  soldier  was  "  Boston  "  Corbett,  and  he  wrote  his  autobiog 
raphy  after  he  became  famous.  In  one  chapter  he  told  of  his  escape 
from  death  in  Prince  William  County  by  the  intervention  of  Mosby: 


466  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

He  told  of  the  struggle  with  "  Bush."  Underwood  as  it  has  been  given 
here,  and  made  the  mistake  of  thinking  Chapman  wasMosby. 

Captain  Chapman  read  the  book  and  recalled  the  incident.     Mosby 
had  not  reached  his  soldiers  when  the  brush  with  Corbett  occurred. 


XLIV. 

Mosby's  Scouts  near  Georgetown. 

By  JOHN  H.  ALEXANDER. 

About  daybreak  one  morning  in  the  Summer  of  1864,  Bush.  Under 
wood  aroused  me  from  my  slumbers,  with  an  invitation  to  go  with  him 
on  a  scout  about  the  neighborhood  of  Georgetown.  We  had  gone 
into  camp  near  Thoroughfare  Gap  late  the  night  before,  after  which  I 
had  been  on  picket  for  a  couple  of  hours,  so  I  felt  very  little  like  fac 
ing  the  hard  service  which  I  knew  would  attend  the  proposed  expedi 
tion.  But  when  I  learned  that  the  party  had  been  partially  made  up 
of  such  spirits  as  Charley  McDonough,  Hugh  Waters,  Harry  Sinnott 
and  Bill  Trammell,  I  recognized  the  compliment  of  the  invitation  and 
accepted  it. 

The  objects  of  the  expedition  were,  generally,  to  gather  informa 
tion,  and  especially  to  "  confiscate  "  a  certain  very  fine  stallion  belong 
ing  to  a  Union  man  near  Lewinsville. 

Underwood's  description  of  this  horse,  together  with  the  very 
recklessness  of  venturing  so  far  within  the  enemy's  lines,  offered  at 
tractions  irresistible  to  a  Mosby  man.  Accordingly,  about  sunrise  a 
half  dozen  of  us  set  out  across  the  country  in  the  direction  of 
Georgetown. 

By  noon  we  had  gotten  within  the  limits  of  danger,  and  fearing 
that  our  further  progress  by  daylight  might  bring  us  in  contact  with 
a  patrol  or  scouting  party  of  the  enemy,  or  even  a  straggling  trooper 
whose  discovery  of  our  presence  would  thwart  our  expedition,  we  re 
tired  to  a  body  of  pines  to  await  nightfall. 

After  dark  set  in  we  resumed  our  march.  Underwood  had  been 
raised  in  that  part  of  Fairfax  County,  and  it  was  his  boast  that  he 
knew  its  every  rabbit-path,  as  well  as  the  political  sentiments  of  all  its 
inhabitants.  And  his  unvarying  success  in  scouting  that  section 
seemed  to  vindicate  his  claim.  He  was  one  of  those  bold,  daring, 
clear-headed,  nervy  fellows  who  never  got  "  rattled,"  whatever  turned 
up.  Perfectly  fearless,  he  was  at  the  same  time  cautious  and  patient, 
and  seemed  to  have  a  genius  for  just  this  sort  of  business.  Therefore 
we  implicitly  followed  his  lead,  though  we  soon  heard  on  every  side 
the  noises  from  Federal  camps  and  knew  that  the  least  accident  or  in- 


APPENDIX. 


467 


advertence  might  at  any  moment  bring  hordes  of  the  enemy  down 
upon  us. 

I  suppose  it  was  nearly  bed-time,  when  we  approached  a  house 
where  Bush  said  that  he  could  get  some  information  that  he  wanted. 
While  the  rest  of  us  remained  with  his  horse  under  the  shadows  of 
the  neighboring  trees,  he  cautiously  made  his  way  to  the  rear  of  the 
dwelling.  He  soon  returned  with  some  biscuits  and  sandwiches, 
which  we  proceeded  "to  put  where  they  would  do  the  most  good," 
while  he  unloaded  his  budget  of  news. 

He  had  learned  that  the  prize  horse  (which,  by  the  way,  I  believe 
to  this  day  was  a  pure  myth,  conjured  up  by  him  to  allure  us)  had  been 
sent  to  Washington  that  afternoon.  But  he  had  ascertained  the  loca 
tion  of  the  various  camps  in  the  neighborhood,  with  the  names  and 
numbers  of  the  different  regiments  composing  them.  This  was  invalu 
able  knowledge  to  us. 

Furthermore,  he  informed  us  that  there  was  a  certain  house  near 
the  Big  Falls  of  the  Potomac  which  a  number  of  Yankee  officers  from 
a  neighboring  camp  were 

in  the  habit  of  visiting,       '          ~— - — " —  mm 

the  attraction  being  some 
very  fascinating  girls. 

There  was  some  de 
bate  among  us  as  to 
whether  it  was  exactly 
the  fair  thing  to  break  up 
so  interesting  a  party. 
But  the  chance  of  carry 
ing  back  with  us  some 
Yankee  shoulder-straps, 
and  possibly  stars,  not  to 
speak  of  fine  horses,  over 
came  our  scruples,  and 
we  determined  to  put  in 
an  appearance  there  dur 
ing  the  evening,  even  at 
the  risk  of  being  regarded 
as  intruders. 

This  house,  however, 
was   several  miles  away,        |g 
and   the   road   to   it   not 
altogether    as    safe    and 
open/ to  travelers  as  it  is 

to-day.  Nor  did  we  go  very  far  before  our  adventures  began.  It  was 
now  considerably  past  midnight,  and,  from  the  fact  that  we  had  been 
riding  for  some  time  within  sound  of  the  roar  of  the  Big  Falls  I  judged 
that  we  were  nearing  our  destination. 


THORNTON  V.  LEACH,  CO.  F 


468  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Ws  had  been  following  our  leader  in  perfect  silence,  and  I  confess 
that  my  meditations  were  not  altogether  cheerful.  Here  we  were,  a 
half  dozen  foolish  boys,  forty  miles  from  our  comrades,  surrounded 
on  all  sides  by  enemies — military  and  non-combatant — and  liable 
at  any  moment  to  stir  up  a  hornet's  nest.  Should  our  leader  and 
guide  fall  in  a  night  skirmish,  or  by  any  chance  become  separated 
from  us,  the  brightest  prospect  that  awaited  us  would  be  to  ride 
humbly  into  the  nearest  camp,  and  take  our  chances  at  being  received 
and  treated  as  prisoners  of  war. 

It  turned  out  that  I  was  not  the  only  one  in  the  party  whose  reso 
lution  was  being  "  sicklied  o'er  by  the  pale  cast  of  thought."  Pres 
ently  Hugh  Waters,  who  was  riding  by  my  side,  leaned  toward  me  and 
said,  in  tones  of  becoming  seriousness  : 

"  Johnny,  I  have  got  a  presentiment.  I  feel  that  I  am  going  to  be 
killed  to-riight.  " 

The  fact  is,  I  felt  very  much  that  way  myself — and  possibly  I 
would  have  said  it,  if  he  had  waited  a  little  while.  But  he  spoke  first, 
and  gave  me  the  start  on  him.  As  much  to  hide  my  own  weakness  as 
to  banter  him,  I  answered  : 

"  Oh,  pshaw,  that's  all  stuff.  We'll  be  talking  to  pretty  girls 
directly." 

"  Now  Johnnie,  don't  laugh  at  me.  You  know  I  am  not  afraid" 
(I  wasn't  so  sure  of  that — judging  him  by  myself).  "  But  I  am  serious  ; 
I  know  that  I  am  not  going  to  get  home,  and  there  are  some  things  I 
want  you  to  attend  to  for  me." 

Then  he  proceeded  to  make  his  will  and  appointed  me  his  Ex 
ecutor.  He  divided  out  his  few  assets — "  the  spoils  of  many  a  chase  " 
— among  his  relatives  and  friends,  no  doubt  very  judiciously.  Finally 
he  came  to  the  mare  he  was  riding.  She  was  a  superb  animal,  hand 
some  as  a  picture  and  distinguished  among  the  boys  for  her  speed  and 
endurance. 

"  And  Bess,"  he  continued,  patting  her  upon  the  neck,  "  I  want 
you  to  try  and  carry  her  out  with  you  and  give  her  to  Mollie  L." 

This  last  request  aroused  my  interest. 

"To  Mollie  L.  ?  "  I  asked;  "why,  what's  your  reason  for  that?" 

"  Well,  I  suppose  I'll  have  to  tell  you,  as  it  won't  make  much  dif 
ference  now."  And  his  voice  became  a  shade  more  doleful.  "  Well, 
the  truth  is,  I  am  in  love  with  her — and — she's  my  sweetheart ! " 

"  The  mischief  you  say  !     You  are  not  engaged  to  her  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  am,  Johnnie,  old  fellow.  You  see  I  had  to  tell  you,  although 
I  promised  her  not  to." 

"  By  George  !  I  am  engaged  to  her  myself !"  I  answered,  an  incipi 
ent  feeling  of  rivalry  imparting  some  warmth  to  my  tones,  perhaps, 
in  spite  of  the  solemn  business  we  had  in  hand. 

Just  at  this  interesting  point  our  conversation  was  interrupted  by  a 
pistol  shot,  and  Underwood,  who  had  paced  some  distance  ahead  of  us 


APPENDIX.  469 

up  the  hill  which  we  were  ascending,  came  dashing  back,  lying  flat  on 
his  horse.  As  we  wheeled  around,  our  movements  were  expedited  by 
some  shots  from  a  party  of  men  who  now  appeared  on  the  brow  of  the 
hill.  They  did  not  follow  us  very  promptly,  however,  and  after  run 
ning  a  few  hundred  yards  we  pulled  off  into  an  old  field  and  huddled 
behind  a  clump  of  bushes  to  await  developments. 

In  a  short  while  the  squad  of  Federals,  who,  we  supposed,  were  a 
patrol  upon  their  rounds,  passed  leisurely  along  the  road  in  front 
of  us,  and  we  picked  up  such  scraps  as  these  from  their  con 
versation  : 

"  Where  the  devil  did  those  fellows  go  ?  "  "  They  couldn't  have 
been  any  of  Mosby's  men,  away  down  here."  "  No,  I  guess  they  are  a 
a  lot  of  Eighth  Illinois  boys  out  on  a  lark."  "  Well,  we  turned  the  joke 
upon  them,  anyhow." 

It  was  no  little  relief  to  us  that  they  took  this  view  of  the  matter. 
Nevertheless,  the  questions  submitted  to  the  council  of  war  which 
we  held  after  they  had  gone,  were  still  very  serious  ones. 

It  would  not  be  very  late  in  the  next  day  when  they  would  find  out 
their  mistake,  and  we  might  expect  the  country  to  be  scoured  by 
scouting  parties.  Especially  would  the  situation  be  aggravated  if  we 
persisted  in  our  project  of  raiding  the  house  on  the  river.  Had 
ordinary  discretion  presided  at  our  council,  doubtless  we  would  have 
set  out  for  home  and  safety,  forthwith.  But  the  very  foolhardiness  of 
the  venture  prevented  any  one  of  us  from  proposing  a  backdown,  lest 
he  be  suspected  of  weakness — and  we  continued  on  our  fatuous 
course. 

Finally  we  reached  the  house  we  were  seeking.  Fortunately  there 
were  no  dogs  about  the  premises  and  we  dismounted  and  surrounded 
the  dwelling  without  being  discovered.  Our  knocking  at  the  front 
door  brought  a  head  out  of  an  upper  window,  and  a  female  voice 
inquired  who  we  were  and  what  was  our  business. 

"  If  there  are  any  officers  here,  they  are  wanted  at  camp  immediate 
ly,"  Bush,  replied. 

"  There  are  none  here — nor  soldiers  either,"  was  the  answer.  "  But 
you  can't  come  that  over  me,  Bush.  Underwood.  What  in  the  world 
are  you  doing  here  ?  " 

"  Hello  !  that's  Nannie  Bell !  What  luck  !  Some  of  us  boys  are 
here,  hungry  as  wolves.  Come  down  and  let  us  in." 

Sure  enough,  she  was  an  old  acquaintance.  But  as  we  heard  her 
steps  descending  the  stairs,  we  took  the  precaution  to  cock  our  revol 
vers — for  even  ladies  are  not  always  to  be  trusted  when  there  may  be 
a  sweetheart  lost  or  saved.  But  she  was  "  true  blue  " — or  gray, 
rather — and,  with  the  other  ladies  who  soon  joined  us,  gave  us  such 
comfort  as  the  unseasonable  hour  of  our  call  enabled  them  to  offer. 
But  they  could  not  console  us  for  the  officers  whom  we  failed  to  catch, 
and  we  soon  rode  away,  decidedly  crestfallen. 


4/o  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

We  were  now  unanimously  of  opinion  to  strike  for  Loudoun  forth 
with,  content  if  we  should  reach  there  with  whole  hides  and  our  stock 
of  adventures — still  further  to  be  added  to — instead  of  the  booty  we 
had  hoped  for. 

We  soon  reached  the  shelter  of  the  Big  Pine  Forest ;  and  for  hours 
threaded  its  obscure  and  devious  bridle  paths  in  single  file,  turning 
and  twisting  and  doubling,  it  seemed  to  me,  long  after  all  idea  of  dis 
tance  or  direction  had  been  lost. 

About  noon  next  day  we  came  to  a  clearing  in  which  stood  the 
humble  abode  of  one  of  Bush's  friends.  They  were  but  poor  folk, 
at  best;  and  I  doubt  not  that,  what  with  the  precarious  means  of 
tilling  their  sterile  soil  and  the  frequent  harrassments  and  depreda 
tions  to  which  they  were  subjected,  Hard  Times  kept  up  a  pretty 
constant  "  knocking  at  their  cottage  door."  But  they  gave  us  a  hearty 
welcome  and  we  had  no  reason  to  suspect  that  the  larder  was  low. 
Often  have  I  recalled  with  gratitude  and  something  of  regret  the 
sweetly  cooked  and  daintily  served  ham  and  eggs  and  richly  browned 
corn-bread  which  that  day  greeted  our  keen  appetites. 

One  of  the  sons  of  the  family  stood  watch  for  us  on  a  neighboring 
hill,  and  we  ate  and  baited  our  horses  and  rested  in  peace.  After  the 
refreshment,  we  took  up  our  march  toward  the  Dranesville  pike,  which 
we  approached  through  the  woods,  and  very  cautiously,  for  we  were 
still  within  the  Federal  lines,  and  liable  to  run  against  a  patrol  or  scout 
ing  party.  Besides,  we  were  not  without  hopes  of  picking  up  some 
unwary  passenger  along  that  highway. 

We  reached  the  pike  safely,  and  tying  our  horses  back  in  the  pines 
a  short  distance,  "laid  for  our  luck  "  along  the  wayside. 

One  squad  of  cavalry  did  indeed  pass  along  within  ten  feet  of  us,  but 
their  numbers  secured  them  undisturbed  right  of  way.  A  few  moments 
after,  a  solitary  straggler  came  jauntily  along,  sitting  cross-legged  on 
his  horse  and  inquiring  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "  Who  will  care  for 
mother  now  ?  " 

Charley  McDonough  stepped  out  from  behind  a  bush  and  informed 
him  that,  if  he  had  no  objections,  we  would  take  care  of  him  ;  and  he 
might  reasonably  commit  the  old  lady  to  a  kind  Providence — or  words 
to  that  effect. 

This  matter-of-fact,  not  to  say  rude  response  to  his  sentimental  in 
quiry,  evidently  shocked  his  sensibilities;  and  before  he  recovered 
himself  he  had  been  fully  introduced  to  our  party.  We  found  him  not 
unworthy  game.  His  money,  jewelry,  and  arms  were  divided  out 
among  the  rest  of  us  ;  while  his  horse  was  assigned  to  Charley  and 
Bush,  in  joint  ownership.  Neither  one  of  them,  however,  cared  to 
have  the  trouble  and  responsibility  of  getting  the  other  one's  half  back 
to  Loudoun;  so  while  the  others  of  us  kept  watch,  they  produced  the 
inevitable  "deck  "  and  sat  down  there  by  the  road  side  and  played  out 
a  game  of  "  seven-up  "  to  determine  which  should  own  the  whole  of 


APPENDIX. 


4/1 


the  nag.     Charley  won,  a  result  which  some  of  us  had  reason  to  regret 
before  we  reached  home. 

By  dark  we  had  gotten  well  beyond  the  picket  lines  and  into  a  sec 
tion  of  country  with  which  we  all  were  more  or  less  familiar.     Here  the 
prisoner  was  paroled  and  turned  loose,  and  McDonough  took  posses 
sion  of  his  hard  earned 
asset.     Here,  too,  Un 
derwood     and    Tram- 
mell  went  off  on  some 
affair    of    their     own, 
leaving  the  rest  of  us 
to      make      our    way 
home. 

We  came  out  upon 
the  Little  River  turn 
pike  about  five  miles 
below  Aldie ;  and  as 
our  horses'  feet  struck 
the  paved  road  we  felt 
that  we  were  indeed  18 
"  almost  home."  But 
when  we  stopped  at  a 
house  on  the  roadside 
to  get  a  drink  of  water, 
we  noticed  consider 
able  restraint,  to  say 
the  least,  in  the  man 
ner  of  the  good  lady, 
who  was  generally  re 
joiced  to  see  Mosby's 
Men.  A  few  inquiries 
developed  the  fact 
that  she  mistook  us  -T 

for  Yankees,  a  large  body  of  whom,  she  informed  us,  had  gone  up  the 
road  that  afternoon. 

This  news  brought  a  change  over  our  spirits  and  put  us  again  on 
the  qut  vive.  The  night  was  very  dark  and  a  high  win  was  blowing. 
This  made  marching  on  a  road  upon  which  we  were  liable  at  any  time 
to  meet  the  enemy  returning,  decidedly  dangerous,  but  we  were 
dead  homesick  and  determined  to  risk  it. 

Sinnott  and  I  rode  about  a  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  Charley 
and  Hugh  with  the  led  horse  ;  and  in  order  that  they  might  have  a 

1  "  What  seems  to  be  an  exuberance  of  stomach  in  this  picture  is  an  inordinate  wealth  of  uni 
form—blockade  goods  purchased  with  some  of  the  proceeds  of  the  Gieenback  Raid.  You  may 
also  recognize  the  tobacco  pouches  (gifts  of  our  sweethearts),  which  we  usually  carried  slung  to  a 
buttonhole  in  front."— J.  H.  A. 


\ 


JOHN  H.  ALEXANDER  AND  HIJOH  T.  WATERS,  CO.  A. 

From  a  photograph  taken  during  the  War.1 


472 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


better  chance  to  escape  in  case  of  trouble,  we  carried  our  revolvers  in 
our  hands,  ready  cocked,  and  it  was  understood  that  we  should  fire  in 
continently  into  anything  we  met. 

We  had  ridden  in  this  order  more  than  a  mile,  and  Sinnott  and 
myself,  riding  closely  side  by  side,  had  descended  into  a  little  vale, 
where  the  .  darkness  could  almost  b.e  felt.  Suddenly  our  horses 
stopped.  Straining  our  looks  forward,  we  distinguished  the  forms  of 
men  and  horses,  just  in  front  of  us.  Our  horses  and  theirs  had  been 
stopped  by  touching  noses. 

Like  a  flash  it  came  to  me  that  they  might  be  some  of  our  own 
men,  scouting;  and  instinctively  I  hailed  them.  But  Sinnott,  more 

obedient  to  instruc 
tions,  fired;  and  the 
response  to  my  chal 
lenge  was  a  groan,  as 
the  man  opposite  -him 
fell  to  the  ground.  It 
was  no  time  now  for 
the  amenities  of  war; 
the  echo  to  the  groan 
was  the  report  of  my 
pistol,  and  down  went 
my  vis-a-vis. 

As  we  turned  our 
horses,  Pandemonium 
broke  loose.  The  flash 
ings  of  pistols  threw  a 
weird  light  on  the  scene, 
while  the  sounds  of  the 
arms  and  the  shouts  of 
the  men  and  the  clatter 
ing  of  horses'  hoofs, 
"  made  night  hideous." 
I  fired  back  once  or 
twice  as  I  ran,  but  found 
that  my  shots  only  be 
trayed  my  whereabouts,  and  drew  the  enemy's  fire  upon  me.  So  I 
addressed  all  my  energies  to  getting  away  from  there. 

When  I  came  up  to  Charley  he  was  dismounted  in  the  road;  and 
my  horse  striking  Hugh's  just  as  he  was  turning,  laid  him  and  his 
rider  sprawling  by  the  wayside.  That  was  the  last  I  saw  of  any  of  my 
companions  that  night.  As  I  subsequently  learned,  their  experiences 
were  as  follows  : 

McDonough  had  been  riding  the  captured  horse,  to  rest  his  own. 
and  when  the  firing  commenced  he  jumped  down  to  change  to  his 
more  reliable  nag.  Before  he  could  mount,  the  enemy  was  upon  him. 


SERGEANT-MAJOR  GUY  BROADWATER. 


APPENDIX. 


473 


He  had  been  outlawed  by  the  Federal  authorities  for  some  desperate 
deed, and  to  him,  capture  meant  certain  death.  But  with  wonderful 
presence  of  mind  he  lay  flat  in  the  road,  with  pistol  cocked  and  hand 
on  trigger,  ready  to  deliver  that  last  shot  which  he  always  reserved  for 
his  own  heart  as  the  final  alter 
native  to  capture.  Poor  fel 
low  !  before  many  months  the 
awful  emergency  came,  and 
he  unfalteringly  fired  that 
fatal  shot. 

But  that  night  he  was 
spared,  by  the  narrowest 
shave.  The  Yankees  rode 
past  him — one  of  them  whose 
horse  stumbled  over  him  re 
marking  that  "  there  was  one 
damned  rebel  they  had  killed." 
At  the  first  opportunity  he 
rolled  out  of  their  way  and 
hied  off  into  the  darkness. 

When  Waters  was  dis 
mounted  in  my  unfortunate 
collision  with  him,  he,  too, 
crept  out  of  the  road,  as  the 
Federals  came  charging  up, 
and  lay  quietly  in  the  fence 
corner  until  they  had  gone  by. 
Then  he  arose  and  made  for 
the  Bull  Run  Mountains. 

Their  horses  followed  Sinnott  down  the  pike  and  found  a  safe  harbor 
in  some  citizen's  close,  until  they  were  reclaimed. 

I  turned  off  the  pike,  and,  coming  to  some  convenient  thickets, 
spent  the  residue  of  the  night  there.  With  morning  light  I  made  my 
way  back  to  Mosby's  Confederacy. 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  I  cleaned  up,  donned  my  "  best 
blockade  goods  "  and  rode  over  to  Mollie  L.'s  to  seek  in  her  gracious 
presence  refreshment  from  my  hardships. 

Imagine  my  surprise  at  finding  Hugh  Waters  already  there,  en 
sconced  in  the  best  arm  chair,  playing  invalid  over  some  bruises  and 
scratches  which  he  had  incurred  in  his  fall  of  the  night  before.  But 
so  far  from  their  being  a  source  of  discomfort  to  him,  the  scamp  was 
supremely  blest  in  the  gentle  ministration  which  they  were  evoking 
from  "  Our  Mutual  Sweetheart." 

He  was  evidently  master  of  the  situation  ;  and  "  the  subsequent 
proceedings  interested  me  no  more." 


JOHN  A.  LLEWELLYN,  CO.  D. 


474 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 
LIEUTENANT  WALTER  BOWIE. 


Walter  Bowie  was  practicing  law  in  Upper  Marlboro,  Md.,  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war.  He  gave  up  a  lucrative  business,  went 
South  and  entered  the  Confederate  army.  In  the  early  part  of  1864, 
he  joined  Mosby's  command,  and  soon  made  a  reputation  among  his 
comrades  by  his  indomitable  courage,  and  his  coolness  and  judgment 
attracted  the  notice  of  his  commander.  When  Company  F  was 
organized  he  was  made  First  Lieutenant.  His  scouts  and  bold 
adventures  were  chiefly  in  Maryland  and  along  the  Potomac,  where 
he  was  on  familiar  ground,  and  it  was  his  wild  dashes  and  hair-breadth 
escapes  in  these  expeditions  that  made  his  name  almost  as  well 

known    in    the    Federal    camps    as    in 
his  own  command. 

On  one  of  these  excursions  the 
house  where  he  was  stopping  for  the 
night  was  surrounded  by  Federal 
cavalry.  Blacking  his  face  and  dis 
guising  himself  as  a  negro  woman  he 
sat  in  a  corner  in  the  kitchen  near  the 
fire.  At  the  approach  of  daylight  he 
picked  up  a  water-pail  and  shuffled 
along  in  the  direction  of  the  spring, 
as  if  to  get  water  for  the  kitchen. 
When  at  a  safe  distance  from  the 
house,  and  but  of  sight  of  the  soldiers, 
he  quickened  his  pace  and  was  soon 
beyond  their  reach.  Not  seeing  the 
supposed  woman  return  in  a  reason 
able  time  one  of  the  soldiers,  whose 
suspicions  had  been  aroused  by  his 
non-appearance,  said  to  a  companion, 
"Don't  you  think  that  was  a  damned 
tall  nigger?"  Search  was  made  and 


CHARLES  B.  VEST,  CO.  C. 
From  a  war-time  picture 


they  found  Bowie's  hat,  coat  and  pistols,  but  by  that  time  he  had 
made  good  his  escape. 

The  following  statement  is  condensed  from  an  account  written  by 
Lieut.  James  G.  Wiltshire,  of  Mosby's  Battalion,  who  was  with 
Lieutenant  Bowie  at  the  time  he  met  his  death: 

"About  the  25th  of  September,  1864,  Lieut.  Bowie  received  intel 
ligence  that  the  'White  House'  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  was'  not  guarded, 
and  that  with  a  small  force,  the  Governor  could  be  captured  and  con 
veyed  to  Richmond,  Va.  This  he  reported  to  Colonel  Mosby  and 
asked  for  permission  to  capture  His  Excellency  and  hold  him  as  a 
hostage  for  friends  of  his  in  Southern  Maryland,  who  had  been 
lodged  in  the  Old  Capitol  Prison  at  Washington,  because  of  their 
Southern  proclivities.  This  request  was  made  with  so  much  earnest- 


APPENDIX.  475 

ness  that  the  Colonel  espoused  the  cause  of  the  young  officer  at 
once  and  gave  him  a  force  of  twenty-five  men,  with  orders  to 
proceed  on  the  expedition." 

Arrangements  being  completed,  Lieutenant  Bowie  and  his  follow 
ers  met  at  Upperville,  Va.,  and  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  Mat 
thias  Point  on  the  Potomac  River,  via  Fredericksburg  and  King 
George  Court  House,  arriving  at  their  destination  about  dusk  on  the 
evening  of  the  second  day. 

While  awaiting  a  favorable  opportunity  to  cross  into  Maryland, 
Bowie  decided  that  he  could  conduct  his  expedition  more  success 
fully  with  a  smaller  number  of  men  than  he  started  with.  After 
consulting  with  Randolph  and  Wiltshire  as  to  the  most  suitable  men 
for  the  work  before  them,  George  O'Bannon,  Charles  B.  Vest,  George 
Smith,  James  E.  Haney  and  George  Ratcliffe,  were  selected.  These, 
with  Lieutenant  Bowie,  John  Randolph  and  James  G.  Wiltshire,  mak 
ing  up  a  force  of  eight  men.  The  others  returned  to  Colonel  Mosby. 

Bowie  and  his  companions  crossed  the  Potomac  and  marched  to 
within  two  miles  of  Port  Tobacco  by  morning  and  camped  until  the 
following  night,  when  they  again  took  up  their  line  of  march  for 
Port  Tobacco,  arriving  there  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock. 

"There  were  twenty  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  quartered  in 
the  Court  House,  and  to  capture  them  and  their  horses  was  neces 
sary  to  the  success  of  the  expedition.  We  took  up  position  as 
quietly  as  possible  under  a  cedar  tree  in  front  of  the  Court  House. 
From  this  point  we  could  see  the  guard  around  the  horses  walking 
his  beat.  Leaving  the  rest  of  the  men,  Bowie  and  I  walked  directly  to 
him  and  captured  him  with  ease.  The  prisoner  was  put  in  charge  of 
George  Smith  and  the  others  of  the  party  walked  briskly  up  to  the 
Court  House  door,  where  Charlie  Vest  was  left  with  orders  to  allow 
no  one  to  pass  out.  Randolph,  Haney,  O'Bannon  and  Ratcliffe  were 
ordered  to  remain  with  Vest  until  they  heard  the  enemy  stir,  when 
they  were  to  rush  in  with  a  flurry.  'Wiltshire,  follow  me,'  was  the 
next  command.  Elbow  to  elbow,  Bowie  and  I  walked  to  the  center 
of  the  floor,  when  Bowie  lighted  a  match,  revealing  the  presence  of 
twenty  as  brave  men  as  were  in  the  United  States  army,  sleeping 
peacefully.  Not  a  man  stirred  up  to  this  moment.  By  the  aid  of 
this  and  another  match  we  found  our  way  to  the  judge's  stand.  Here 
the  stillness  of  the  moment  was  broken  by  a  big  German  springing 
to  his  feet  and  ramming  his  pistol  against  Lieutenant  Bowie,  ex 
claiming  'By  dams,  me  shoot.'  As  these  words  issued  from  his  lips 
I  put  my  pistol  against  his  ribs,  saying  with  a  slight  emphasis  of 
profane  adjectives:  'Surrender,  or  I  will  bore  you  through.'  The 
Teuton  fell  back  in  bed,  declaring  'By  dams  me  no  shoot.'  At  this 
juncture  the  'Big  Four,'  rushed  in,  making  more  noise  than  the  whole 
of  Mosby's  Battalion  would  have  done.  'Surrender!  Surrender!  ! 
Surrender!  !  !'  came  from  the  Confederates.  Believing  that  no  small 
party  would  attack  them,  the  Federals  surrendered  without  making 


476  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

the  slightest  resistance.  They  were  made  to  saddle  and  bridle  nine 
of  their  horses  for  our  use  and  that  of  the  Governor.  While  this 
was  being  done  Lieutenant  Bowie  was  arranging  a  parole  with  the 
Federal  officer,  that  required  the.  prisoners  to  remain  in  the  Court 
House  until  'sunrise  the  next  morning/  'Mount  your  horses,  for 
ward,  trot,  march/  ordered  our  commanding  officer.  'We  can  make 
the  "Big  Walnut"  by  daybreak.'  This,  of  course,  was  a  ruse.  In 
stead  of  going  by  the  'Big  Walnut'  we  went  in  the  direction  of 
Upper  Marlboro,  traveling  hard  until  sunrise,  when  we  \vent  to  Col. 
W.  W.  Bowie's,  the  father  of  Lieut.  Bowie,  where  wre  were  joined  by 
Brune  Bowie  (a  brother  of  Wat.  Bowie)  then  home  on  furlough. 

"At  nightfall  Lieut.  Bowie  said,  'Come,  boys,  let  us  get  to  our 
horses  and  be  off.'  Once  in  the  saddle  we  drew  rein  for  Hardesty's 
Store,  near  Annapolis,  where  we  camped  in  the  woods  for  a  few  days 
while  Bowie  and  Vest  scouted  the  Governor's  house.  Finding  His 
Excellency  more  closely  guarded  than  had  been  reported,  they 
returned  to  camp  with  a  sad  heart  to  tell  us  of  the  unfruitful  termina 
tion  of  our  raid,  and  that  we  would  return  to  Virginia  on  the 
morrow. 

"At  the  head  of  the  little  band  Lieut.  Bowie  took  up  the  line  of 
march  for  Virginia,  going  around  Washington,  D.  C,  via  Sandy 
Spring.  One  store,  owned  by  Mr.  Alban  Gilpin,  supplied  the  good 
people  of  that  vicinity  with  the  necessaries  of  life.  We  entered  the 
store  and  opened  negotiations  with  Mr.  Gilpin  for  a  few  of  his 
wares.  He  instructed  his  courteous  clerk,  Mr.  Alban  G.  Thomas,  to 
let  us  have  such  articles  as  we  needed.  Here  an  episode  took  place 
between  Mr.  Thomas  and  myself  that  doubtless  inconvenienced  him 
no  little  at  the  time:  My  boots  were  run  down  at  the  heels,  making 
it  very  painful  to  me  to  walk.  Thinking  surely  footwear  was  car 
ried  in  stock,  I  requested  Mr.  Thomas  to  show  me  a  pair  of  No.  8 
boots.  He  replied,  'Mine  is  the  only  pair  of  boots  in  the  store  and 
they  are  No.  71/^/  I  was  in  a  dilemma.  The  military  necessity  still 
confronted  us.  I  insisted  upon  making  the  exchange.  I  lost  no  time 
in  adapting  my  No.  8  feet  to  his  No.  7^/2  boots.  That  it  was  a  close 
fit  goes  without  saying,  and  so  long  as  I  wore  them  I  was  forcibly 
reminded  of  my  Sandy  Spring  raid.  We  mounted  our  horses  and 
took  up  a  forced  march  for  the  Potomac;  but  the  night  was  too  far 
spent  for  us  to  make  the  haven  of  rest  and  safety.  Near  Rockville 
day  broke  upon  us,  compelling  us  to  go  to  the  woods.  Having  pick 
eted  our  horses  and  breakfasted  we  were  sitting  around  the  camp 
discussing  the  events  of  the  past  night  and  the  prospect  of  our  being 
in  old  Virginia  again,  when  our  attention  was  called  to  the  tramp  of 
approaching  horsemen  and  a  voice  saying,  'They  have  gone  in  here.' 
We  at  first  thought  that  the  Federal  cavalry  were  on  our  trail,  but 
subsequent  events  proved  that  young  Thomas  had  gotten  the  citizens 
of  Sandy  Spring  together  and  had  come  after  his  boots.  His  force 
was  ample,  about  forty,  and  well  armed  with  shot-guns,  to  give  us  a 


APPENDIX.  477 

great  deal  of  anxiety.     Lieut.  Bowie  said,  'Boys,  we  will  charge  them 
on  foot.' 

"Forming  a  single  line  we  charged  with  a  yell  down  the  road.' 
A  hot  tight  ensued.  Several  of  the  citizens,  one  of  whom  was  Mr. 
Thomas,  had  dismounted  to  fight  as  infantry,  while  the  rest  kept  to 
their  horses  as  a  reserve  force.  On  making  the  road,  the  Lieutenant 
mounted  the  first  citizen's  horse  he  came  to  and  ordered  Vest  and 
myself  to  mount  ourselves  and  follow  him.  This  we  did  with  dis 
patch,  the  rest  of  the  men  holding  the  ground  we  had  gained.  The 
horse  I  fell  heir  to  proved  to  be  Thomas's.  He  w7as  as  swift  as  the 
wind  and  as  nimble  as  a  cat.  Hence  he  was  not  long  forging  his 
way  by  the  side  of  Vest,  who  had  gotten  a  start  of  me,  both  gaining 
considerably  on  our  leader,  who  had  just  turned  a  bend  in  the  road 
when  two  shots  were  fired,  striking  Lieutenant  Bowie  in  the  face  and 
head  with  buckshot  and  knocking  him  from  his  horse,  mortally 
wrounded.  Henry  Ent,  a  blacksmith  in  Sandy  Spring,  had  concealed 
himself  behind  a  cedar  tree  close  to  the  road,  and  as  the  Lieutenant 
passed,  he  fired  the  fatal  shots  and  then  fled  through  the  thick 
underbrush  and  dense  forest.  Vest  and  I  retraced  our  way  to  the 
rest  of  the  men  with  the  sad  news  of  our  great  loss.  The  command 
now  devolved  upon  Randolph,  who,  in  his  usual  cool  way,  said: 
'Mount  your  horses,  boys,  and  follow  me.'  As  though  by  a  funeral 
dirge  we  marched  slowly  to  the  spot  where  the  Lieutenant  lay 
wounded.  Although  we  were  in  danger  of  being  attacked  by  the 
combined  forces  of  the  soldiers  and  citizens,  we  secured  from  a 
farmer  near  by  a  wagon  and  conveyed  our  wounded  commander  to 
the  kind  man's  house,  where  all  w^as  done  by  his  brother,  who 
remained  with  him,  and  the  ladies  of  the  house,  to  make  his  last 
moments  comfortable,  until  death  closed  the  scene.  Brune  now 
retired  to  his  horse  and  endeavored  to  overtake  us,  but  was  inter 
cepted  by  a  body  of  Federal  cavalry  and  taken  to  the  'Old  Capitol' 
at  Washington,  a  prisoner,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the 
war. 

"The  rest  of  our  party,  now  reduced  to  eight,  our  original  number, 
made  our  way  to  Virginia,  taking  the  peak  of  the  Sugar-Loaf  Moun 
tain  as  our  guide  and  inspiration,  for  this  overlooked  our  place  of 
safety — Virginia." 


HARROVER'S  ESCAPE  FROM  THE  OLD   CAPITOL   PRISON 

After  being  captured  Robert  M.  Harrover  was  taken  to  Washing 
ton  and  tried  by  a  Military  Commission  "for  leaving  Washington  City 
after  he  had  been  enrolled  and  attaching  himself  to  a  band  of  guer 
rillas."  He  was  sentenced  to  be  "shot  to  death  by  musketry"  within 
ninety  days.  This  sentence  was  afterwards  commuted  to  imprison 
ment  "in  the  Albany  Penitentiary  at  hard  labor  for  ten  years." 


4/8 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


After  sentence  he  was  transferred  from  the  "Carroll  Prison"  to 
the  "Old  Capitol  Prison,"  and  put  in  a  room  with  "military  prison 
ers" — deserters  from  the  Federal  army,  some  confined  for  criminal 
and  others  for  trifling  offences,  and  a  few  Confederates. 

Their  bunks  were  arranged  in  tiers,  one  above  the  other,  and  they 
lay  upon  the  boards  with  a  blanket.  The  windows  were  barred  with 
iron.  Guards  stood  outside  the  doors  of  the  room  in  the  halls,  and 
on  the  outside,  around  the  entire  building,  sentinels  paced  to  and  fro. 
These  sentries  were  ordered  to  move  with  their  backs  to  one  another 
— always  keeping  the  dead-line  in  view.  No  one  was  allowed  to  go 
within  three  feet  of  a  window.  For  violating  this  rule  one  poor 

fellow  paid  the  penalty  with  his 
life — a  sentry  on  the  outside  sent 
a  bullet  through  his  head.  An 
escape  a  short  time  before  had 
intensified  the  watchfulness  of 
the  guards  and  made  the  chances 
almost  impossible. 

Harrover  and  a  Confederate 
soldier  named  Harrison,  a  Missis- 
sipian,  belonging  to  the  Jeff 
Davis  Legion,  after  a  close  exam 
ination  of  their  surroundings, 
noticed  that  in  the  late  hours  of 
the  night  or  early  hours  of  the 
morning,  the  sentries  appeared 
less  vigilant,  and  that  once  they 
met  at  the  dividing  point  of  their 
beats,  exchanged  a  few  words, 
parted  and  moved  on.  This  act, 
though  but  a  trifle  in  itself,  inspired  them  with  hope  and  encouraged 
them  to  attempt  the  execution  of  a  plan  which  they  had  conceived 
but  regarded  as  impracticable.  They  took  an  old  case  knife,  which 
they  had  procured  by  stealth,  and  creeping  from  their  beds  between 
the  hours  of  two  and  four  in  the  morning,  when  all  others  were  dead 
asleep,  sawed  two  of  the  iron  bars  nearly  through.  They  did  this 
kneeling  on  the  floor  beneath  the  window  sill,  muffling  the  iron  bars 
to  deaden  the  sound.  For  two  weeks  they  worked  patiently  in  this 
way. 

At  nine  o'clock  all  lights  were  extinguished  and  every  man  was 
expected  to  be  in  bed — a  guard  passing  around  to  see  that  this  rule 
was  obeyed.  In  the  early  part  of  the  night  they  employed  themselves 
in  making  a  knotted  rope  from  their  blankets,  each  taking  a  portion 
of  his  own  and  concealing  it  about  his  person  during  the  day. 

Night  after  night  they  watched  and  waited,  but  still  no  chance  of 
escape  offered.  At  last,  one  very  dark  night,  Harrison  noticed  that 
the  sentinels  appeared  rather  sluggish  in  their  movements,  and  the 


ROBERT  M.  HARROVER,  CO.  B. 
From  a  recent  picture. 


APPENDIX.  479 

two  prepared  to  take  advantage  of  the  first  opportunity  for  a  dash 
through  the  window.  They  fastened  one  end  of  the  rope  to  their 
bunk  so  that  they  could  drop  out  through  the  opening  they  had  made 
ready  by  loosening  the  two  bars.  Harrover  saw  the  two  sentinels 
on  that  side  of  the  house  coming  toward  each  other,  and  as  they 
turned  and  walked  off  in  different  directions  the  bars  were  quickly 
shoved  aside,  the  ball  of  rope  dropped  out,  and  before  it  could  unroll 
and  reach  the  ground  Harrison  was  sliding  down  it  with  Harrover 
following.  Harrison  was  speeding  away  as  Harrover  put  his  feet  to 
the  ground.  At  that  moment  one  of  the  sentries  reached  the  end  of 
his  beat  and  turning  saw  Harrover.  The  soldier  pointed  his  gun  at 
him  and  pulled  the  trgger,  but  the  cap  snapped  and  Harrover  was  off. 

On  the  open  space  around  were  scattered  huge  blocks  of  stone 
used  in  building  the  Capitol.  Harrison  dashed  in  among  these  and 
ran  swiftly  along  toward  the  open  fields.  The  sentinel  rushed  after 
Harrover  to  bayonet  him,  but  the  prisoner  was  too  fleet-footed  and 
was  soon  lost  in  the  darkness.  An  alarm  was  sounded,  the  prisoners 
were  ordered  out  of  their  bunks,  lined  up  in  their  rooms  and  the  roll 
called.  It  was  then  discovered  that  in  spite  of  bolts  and  bars  and 
guards,  these  two  Confederates  had  escaped. 

Coming  to  an  old  board  fence  Harrover  jumped  over  and  lay 
down  close  to  it  under  some  weeds.  He  could  hear  his  pursurers 
passing.  When  it  .grew  quiet  he  came  out  and  walked  over  toward 
the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum.  It  was  now  about  daybreak,  and  he 
crept  into  a  clump  of  bushes  where  he  remained  all  day  and  did  not 
venture  out  until  evening. 

As  he  walked  along  he  saw  a  squad  of  soldiers  returning  to  Fort 
Totten  after  a  day's  holiday  in  the  city,  and  he  boldly  joined  them. 
When  they  drew  near  ,to  the  Fort  he  felt  it  best  to  take  leave  of  his 
company,  so  pointing  to  a  light  a  short  distance  off  he  told  them  he 
lived  near  there  and  was  going  to  stop  and  see  a  friend  and  bade 
them  good-night. 

Approaching  the  light  he  found  it  coming  through  the  window  of 
a  neat  little  cottage.  He  knocked  at  the  door  and  it  was  opened  by 
an  elderly  German  woman.  He  said:  "Madam,  I  am  an  escaped 
Confederate  prisoner.  By  stepping  out  of  this  door  you  can  hand  me 
over  to  my  enemies.  My  life  is  in  your  hands."  She  stood  for  a 
moment  gazing  at  him  with  a  startled  look.  Then  a  motherly  smile 
lit  up  her  face  and  a  look  of  compassion  told  in  language  stronger 
than  words,  that  he  had  found  a  friend.  She  said  little  but  prepared 
a  good  supper  and  then  showed  him  to  a  room  and  told  him  to  go 
to  bed.  He  was  so  completely  broken  down  with  the  excitement  and 
fasting  that  he  was  soon  sleeping  soundly.  She  called  him  before 
daylight  the  next  morning,  and  when  he  came  down  he  found  a 
warm  breakfast  and  a  lunch  ready  to  take  with  him.  She  gave  him 
directions  as  to  his  route,  quietly  let  him  out  and  closed  the  door. 

The  kind  old  woman,  in  the  little  conversation   he   had  with   her, 


480  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

spoke  of  an  organization  in  Washington,  known  as  the  "United 
States  Christian  Commission,"  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the 
hospitals  and  sick  soldiers  with  fresh  meats,  vegetables,  etc.  He  now 
proceeded  on  his  way,  announcing  himself  as  one  of  its  agents.  This 
secured  him  the  good  will  of  everybody.  He  engaged  poultry,  vege 
tables  and  country  produce  of  all  kinds,  for  which  he  agreed  to  pay 
extravagant  prices.  [The  farmers  who  were  to  meet  him  and  deliver 
the  goods  according  to  appointment  no  doubt  felt  afterwards  that 
while  they  had  sold  their  goods  at  high  prices,  they  had  sold  them 
selves  very  cheap.] 

Before  leaving  prison  Harrison  had  agreed  to  meet  him  at  a  cer 
tain  point,  but  the  exact  location  he  did  not  know  and  was  afraid  to 
inquire.  Going  along  he  came  to  an  old  mill  where  a  darkey  sat  upon 
a  millstone  "picking"  with  a  hammer.  When  Harrover  told  him  he 
was  an  agent  of  the  "United  States  Christian  Commission"  the  old 
man  regarded  him  as  one  holding  an  important  position,  and  in  reply 
to  his  questions  told  Harrover  all  about  the  citizens  around — who 
among  them  were  "Union"  and  who  were  "Secesh." 

When  he  reached  Rockville  he  saw  a  government  ambulance 
standing  in  front  of  a  store,  and  learned  it  was  being  taken  to  a  camp 
some  distance  away.  He  entered  into  conversation  with  the  driver, 
a  soldier  detailed  from  a  Massachusetts  regiment,  who  readily  agreed 
to  give  the  "U.  S.  C.  C."  agent  a  ride.  The  government  ambulance 
and  soldier  driver  were  a  passport  for  him  along  the  closely  guarded 
road.  [This  is  really  the  most  remarkable  feature  of  his  adventure. 
A  prisoner  just  escaped  from  the  most  noted  prison  at  the  seat  of 
government,  with  thousands  of  soldiers  all  around,  assisted  in  his 
escape  by  a  Federal  soldier,  driving  a  government  ambulance  and 
team,  through  pickets  and  lines  of  the  very  troops  who  were 
expected  to  capture  him.] 

After  a  ride  of  about  12  miles  they  came  to  an  old  Maryland 
manor.  Harrover  had  now  reached  the  place  he  had  agreed  to  meet 
Harrison,  and  he  parted  from  his  innocent  accomplice,  the  driver. 
As  he  turned  from  the  road  into  the  open  space  in  front  of  the  house 
he  saw  the  yard  and  veranda  were  filled  with  Federal  officers,  but  as 
he  had  been  driven  to  the  gate  and  the  ambulance  had  left  he  could 
not  turn  back.  He  walked  to  and  knocked  at  the  door,  which  was 
opened  by  an  old  colored  woman.  He  asked  to  see  the  gentleman  of 
the  house,  but  was  told  he  had  gone  to  Rockville.  "But,"  continued 
the  woman,  "de  lady  will  see  you.  Walk  in." 

He  was  met  by  a  lady  of  matronly  appearance  whose  air  of 
benevolence  soon  relieved  him  of  his  embarrassment.  She  explained 
the  presence  of  the  Federal  officers  there;  that  she  had  consented  to 
board  a  number  of  officers  from  a  nearby  camp,  and  found  it  to  her 
advantage  .o  do  so.  The  situation  required  careful  management,  but 
a  woman's  ready  wit  suggested  a  plan  by  which  the  difficulties  were 
overcome.  "I  have  a  brother  in  Virginia,"  she  said,  "and  he  was  to 


APPENDIX.  481 

visit  us,  but  cannot  come.  For  the  present  you  and  he  are  the  same." 
He  was  invited  from  the  sitting  room  into  supper  and  introduced  as 
the  hostess'  brother.  The  officers  were  very  gracious  in  their  atten 
tions  and  invited  him  to  visit  them  in  camp. 

A  few  nights  later  he  was  joined  by  Harrison,  who  had  been 
expected  by  the  family.  Harrison  had  a  narrow  escape  from  recap 
ture.  [He  was  taken  prisoner  by  an  old  citizen,  armed  with  a  shot 
gun,  who  was  on  the  lookout  for  deserters  from  the  Federal  army  for 
the  sake  of  the  reward.  As  the  old  man  was  taking  him  through  the 
woods  Harrison  snatched  his  gun  and  in  the  scuffle  was  shot  in  the 
head.  He  succeeded  in  wrenching  the  gun  out  of  his  hands  and  broke 
it  over  the  old  man's  head,  leaving  him  unconscious  while  he  hurried 
away.]  They  kept  him  secreted  in  his  room  until  he  recovered  from 
fatigue  and  the  effects  of  his  wound,  then,  one  night,  well  equipped 
for  the  journey,  he  set  out  in  the  darkness,  fully  posted  as  to  his 
route  and  mode  of  proceeding. 

While  sitting  at  the  window  the  day  after  Harrison  left,  Harrover 
was  startled  to  see  Col.  Wood,  superintendent  of  the  Old  Capitol 
Prison,  drive  up  the  road  leading  to  the  house.  He  felt  sure  he  was 
booked  to  return  to  his  old  quarters.  He  afterwards  learned  that 
Col.  Wood  was  actually  in  search  of  him,  having  received  a  telegram 
saying  two  suspicious  characters  had  been  arrested  at  Darnestown, 
and,  feeling  sure  that  they  were  the  two  escaped  prisoners,  he  set 
out  with  a  guard  to  take  them  back  to  Washington.  He  was  dis 
appointed  when  he  found  they  were  only  a  couple  of  bounty-jumpers 
who  had  deserted  and  were  going  back  to  their  homes  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  he  became  so  angry  that  he  wTould  not  take  his  dinner  at  head 
quarters  but  came  over  to  the  very  house  where  Harrover  was  and 
took  dinner  within  a  few  feet  of  the  man  he  was  in  search  of.  After 
the  war  the  Colonel  was  told  of  the  affair  and  was  much  amused  at 
the  joke  on  himself. 

Harrover  now  felt  it  his  duty  that  he  should  run  no  further  risk 
of  compromising  his  kind  hostess,  so  he  took  his  leave.  Meeting  a 
negro  in  the  road  he  learned  from  him  that  there  was  a  number  of 
Confederates  some  miles  up  the  river  waiting  for  a  favorable  oppor 
tunity  to  cross  the  Potomac.  Their  leader  was  one  of  Bradley  John 
son's  scouts,  named  Wilfred  McLeod.  He  had  been  to  Washington, 
and  while  there  had  left  his  horse  and  equipments  in  care  of  this 
negro,  promising  that  on  his  return  he  would  mount  him  and  take 
him  back  South. 

Before  attempting  to  get  through  the  lines  and  cross  the  river  it 
was  necessary  for  the  party  to  have  horses  and  equipments.  McLeod, 
taking  Harrover  and  the  negro,  went  down  to  a  ford  of  a  stream 
which  was  often  used  by  the  Union  soldiers  for  watering  their  horses 
when  returning  from  picket  duty  or  foraging,  and  hiding  in  the 
bushes  near  by,  they  would  dash  out  suddenly  on  solitary  riders  until 
they  captured  enough  to  mount  and  arm  the  party. 


482  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

It  was  impossible  to  take  these  prisoners  with  them  across  the 
Potomac;  they  could  not  think  of  killing  them,  yet  they  must  be  dis 
posed  of  in  some  way.  McLeod  solved  the  problem.  He  sent  the 
negro  to  Rockville  and  got  a  jug  of  whiskey.  He  then  called  up  the 
prisoners  and  told  them  if  they  obeyed  his  orders  they  would  be  in 
camp  with  their  comrades  on  the  following  day,  with  nothing  to  com 
plain  of  but  a  headache  and  a  tired,  sleepy  feeling,  but  if  there  \vas 
any  trouble  they  would  all  be  put  to  death.  The  jug  was  passed 
around  again  and  again,  and  they  were  forced  to  drink  until  each  and 
every  one  of  them  was  stupidly  and  helplessly  drunk.  Then  the 
Confederates,  mounted  and  equipped  for  fight,  avoiding  the  patrol 
along  the  river,  crossed  the  Potomac  and  were  soon  riding  at  a  lively 
gait  along  the  road  in  old  Virginia. 


LIEUTENANT   GROGAN'S   ESCAPE  FROM   JOHNSON'S 

ISLAND  PRISON  AND  ADVENTUROUS  JOURNEY 

BACK  TO  DIXIE. 

When  Gen.  Lee  fell  back  from  Gettysburg,  Lieut.  Grogan  was 
left  wounded  with  Gen.  Trimble  near  Gettysburg,  and  after  some 
weeks  of  hospital  treatment  at  the  Seminary  Building,  was  sent  to 
Fort  McHenry  at  Baltimore,  and  thence  to  Johnson's  Island.  This 
prison  was  situated  several  miles  northwest  of  Sandusky  City,  Ohio, 
on  Lake  Erie,  on  a  small  wooded  island  about  one  hundred  acres  in 
extent. 

The  island  was  strongly  garrisoned  by  a  regiment  of  Ohio  Home 
Guards  and  at  the  time  of  his  imprisonment  there  were  two  thousand 
seven  hundred  prisoners  on  the  island,  all  commissioned  officers  of 
the  Confederate  army.  The  prison  was  enclosed  by  a  high  plank 
fence  upon  which  was  erected  a  platform  where  sentinels  stood  guard 
with  instructions  to  shoot  any  prisoner  who  ventured  within  ten 
paces  of  the  stockade.  Prisoners  were  sometimes  fired  upon  and  shot 
for  no  cause,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  sentinels  were  in  perpetual 
dread  of  an  organized  revolt  being  made  by  the  prisoners.  A  gen 
eral  outbreak  was  once  planned  and  attempted,  though  it  failed  in 
execution  through  spies  and  detectives  within  the  prison,  who  made 
escape  by  any  ordinary  means  impossible.  Several  succeeded  in 
escaping  over  the  frozen  lake,  but  all,  save  one,  being  overcome  by 
cold,  were  recaptured  and  returned  to  prison  life. 

Notwithstanding  the  insurmountable  difficulties  of  escape,  Grogan 
was  ever  watchful  for  an  opportunity  to  be  free.  One  evening  about 
5  p.  m.,  seeing  a  squad  of  prisoners  under  guard  at  the  prison  gate, 
he  joined  the  party  and  inquired  their  purpose.  When  informed  that 
they  were  going  out  under  guard  to  procure  straw  for  their  prison 
bunks,  he  hurried  to  his  messroom,  put  on  a  citizen's  coat  and  bor 
rowing  some  bed  ticking  from  one  of  his  messmates,  hastily  returned 


APPENDIX. 


43, 


and  joined  the  party.  The  squad  passed  out  through  the  prison 
entrance  and  was  marched  by  the  guard  to  a  frame  building  not  far 
distant  on  the  lake  shore,  where  the  straw  was  to  be  procured.  All 
the  prisoners  loaded  themselves 
with  straw  except  Grogan,  who 
quietly  secreted  himself  in  and 
under  the  straw,  his  fellow  prison 
ers  alone  observing  his  manoeuvres 
— one  of  whom  carelessly  piled  on 
the  straw  completely  concealing  him. 

The  door  was  soon  closed  and 
locked,  and  the  prisoners  loaded 
with  straw  were  marched  back  to 
their  cheerless  quarters,  the  guard 
not  discovering  the  loss  of  this  one 
lonely  rebel.  The  solitary  prisoner 
under  the  straw  had  now  new  diffi 
culties  to  encounter.  Being  locked 
in  a  new  prison  house  he  found  up 
on  making  a  quiet  reconnaissance  of 
the  place  that  his  only  hope  of 
escape  was  to  cut  his  way  to  liberty 
with  a  pocket  knife.  This  he  did 
not  venture  to  attempt  until  a  late 
hour  of  the  night,  for  fear  of  detec 
tion  by  the  passers-by,  at  this  ex 
posed  position  near  the  wharf.  When  everything  was  still  the  work 
of  cutting  out  was  commenced,  and  every  stroke  of  the  blade  seemed 
to  cut  a  nerve  in  breaking  the  stillness  of  the  night. 

After  many  weary  hours  of  anxious  and  nervous  toil,  an  opening 
was  effected  and  the  plank  removed,  disclosing  a  scene  that  was  truly 
beautiful  and  might  have  been  highly  enjoyable  but  for  the  spectre- 
like  figure  of  a  live  sentinel  doing  guard  duty  at  the  wharf  near  by. 

How  to  get  out  of  that  hole  without  detection  became  the  question. 
There  was  but  one  hope  and  chance,  and  it  must  be  taken  promptly, 
by  facing  the  danger  of  crawling  out  when  the  sentinel  turned  his 
back  in  walking  his  beat.  In  crouching  attitude  this  risk  was  taken 
and  accomplished.  The  escaped  prisoner  at  once  sprang  upon  his 
feet  and  with  a  bound  placed  the  corner  of  the  building  between  him 
self  and  the  sentinel.  He  now  moved  rapidly  westward  to  the  near 
est  point  to  the  Ohio  shore,  which  was  distant  several  miles.  Here 
he  hastily  constructed  a  raft  of  driftwood  and  fallen  timber  and 
pushed  his  frail  bark  from  shore  to  encounter  the  dangers  of  the  sea, 
with  only  a  faint  hope  of  being  picked  up  by  some  passing  sail  in 
traffic  on  the  lake. 

The  hastily  improvised  raft  proved  unseaworthy  and  went  to 
pieces  not  far  from  shore.  Fatigued  by  a  night's  wakefulness  and 


HON.  DANIEL  GIRAUD  WRIGHT 
CO.  D. 

Judge  of  Criminal  Court,  Baltimore  City 

for  more  than  20  years 
From  a  recent  picture 


484  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

work,  friendless  and  alone,  the  utter  hopelessness  and  despair  of  this 
undertaking  can  hardly  be  described.  But  for  the  cruelties  awaiting 
a  surrender  to  the  prison  authorities,  he  would  have  abandoned  all 
further  attempts  to  escape.  In  a  last  desperate  effort  for  liberty  and 
life  he  set  adrift  the  loose  material  of  his  frail  raft  and  made  a  recon 
naissance  of  the  island  with  the  hope  of  finding  better  material  for 
constructing  a  stronger  craft  the  following  night. 

Near  the  main  entrance  to  the  prison  he  found  a  number  of  men 
engaged  in  carpenters'  work  on  the  barrack  buildings,  and  in  con 
versation  he  drew  from  them  the  information  that  the  steamboat  that 
made  daily  trips  to  Sandusky  would  leave  the  wharf  near  the  straw- 
house  (his  late  abode)  at  eight  o'clock  that  morning.  It  was  already 
seven  o'clock  and  he  was  then  shivering  with  cold.  The  thought 
uppermost  in  his  mind  was  how  he  should  manage  to  elude  the 
sentinel  at  the  wharf  or  provide  something  in  the  way  of  a  counter 
sign  in  case  he  was  challenged  by  him.  However,  he  put  on  a  bold 
front,  passed  him  with  a  military  salute  and  went  aboard  without 
being  halted  by  him. 

Another  thought  now  serious  and  disturbing  to  his  mind  was  the 
dread  of  a  very  natural  demand  for  a  ticket;  yet  fortune  seemed  to 
smile  upon  him  in  his  unhappy  environment.  The  boat  being  used 
only  for  governmental  purposes,  in  carrying  prisoners'  stores,  etc., 
neither  tickets  nor  fare  were  demanded,  and  after  a  half  hour's  voyage 
the  vessel  landed  at  the  Sandusky  wharf.  The  fugitive  walked  the 
gang-plank  with  a  forced  air  of  cool  indifference  along  with  the  other 
passengers  and  went  ashore. 

Fearing  to  take  the  train  at  the  point  of  landing,  he  walked  south 
ward  through  the  town,  and  proceeded  in  line  with  the  railroad  to  a 
way  station  nine  miles  or  more  from  Sandusky. 

About  nine  p.  m.  the  southbound  train  appeared,  and  quietly  and 
comfortably  seated  in  the  train,  he  breathed  more  freely  as  the  breach 
widened  between  him  and  his  recent  island  prison.  Lying  over  that 
night  at  a  railroad,  junction  after  a  few  hours'  run,  and  not  anxious  to 
disclose  his  linen  or  the  color  of  his  cloth,  he  retired  for  the  night 
in  full  dress  on  the  floor  of  a  crowded  hotel.  In  the  morning  he 
purchased  a  straight  through  ticket  to  Baltimore,  where  he  was 
safely  deposited  the  next  day  at  the  old  Bolton  Street  Depot.  It  was 
but  a  short  walk  to  his  home  on  Monument  Street,  where  he  directed 
his  footsteps  in  search  of  Jack  Maloney,  an  old  and  trusty  friend. 
Maloney  was  a  firm,  brave  man  and  risked  exposure  so  often  in  his 
daily  walks  with  his  guest  that  it  excited  Grogan's  fears  lest  he  be 
discovered  and  returned  to  prison.  He  therefore  determined  to  get 
out  of  the  city  as  speedily  as. possible.  He  boarded  a  street  car  and 
rode  to  the  terminus  at  the  northern  boundary;  from  thence  he 
walked  to  Lexington,  to  the  house  of  a  relative,  Mr.  Tiernan  Wil 
liamson,  where  he  remained  for  the  night.  The  next  day  he  pro 
ceeded  to  Foxley,  at  that  time  the  residence  of  Thomas  Oliver,  now 
the  McDonough  Institute.  Here  he  was  cordially  received  by  the 


APPENDIX.  485 

Olivers  and  Harrisons,  as  a  kinsman  from  the  North.  Under  an 
assumed  family  name  he  was  unknown  and  consequently  unsuspected 
by  the  servants. 

After  a  few  pleasant  days  spent  at  Foxley  he  went  by  an  unfre 
quented  road  across  the  country  to  the  house  of  Walter  Dorsey. 
Dorsey,  besides  being  a  hot-headed  rebel,  was  also  a  good  judge  of 
horses.  He  purchased  for  the  fugitive  a  well-bred,  high-mettled 
young  mare,  fleet  of  foot  and  a  most  excellent  animal  for  the  needs 
of  a  dashing  Ranger.  Here  Grogan,  well  mounted  on  his  newly-pur 
chased  steed,  was  joined  by  a  few  new  recruits,  and  with  them 
resumed  his  march  for  old  Virginia.  Reaching  the  Potomac  River 
not  far  below  the  Point  of  Rocks,  they  aroused  an  old  farmer  from 
his  bed.  This  old  gentleman  had  a  son  in  the  Confederate  army  and 
knew  of  a  certain  disloyal  blind  ford  near  his  farm;  his  son  had 
frequently  used  it.  Under  his  guidance  they  passed  between  the 
cavalry  picket  posts  on  the  canal  and  entered  the  river  from  a  steep 
bank;  passing  up  the  river  some  distance  they  reached  the  ford,  and 
crossing  the  river  under  cover  of  night  the  escaped  prisoner  was 
once  more  in  Dixie.  He  was  the  only  officer  or  soldier,  save  two, 
who  escaped  from  Johnson's  Island  alive  during  the  war.  Many  lost 
their  lives  in  desperate  attempts  to  escape  the  torments  of  that 
hated  prison,  yet  all  failed  but  this  determined  young  officer  and  the 
two  here  mentioned. 

Shortly  after  crossing  the  Potomac  he  met  Colonel  Mosby  and 
joined  his  command.  A  mutual  attachment  was  soon  formed,  and 
though  he  was  only  a  volunteer  in  the  command,  Mosby  frequently 
entrusted  him  with  small  detachments  and  subsequently  made  him  a 
Lieutenant.  His  name  is  conspicuous  on  many  pages  of  this  book, 
as  will  appear  by  reference  to  the  Index. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ATTACK  ON  COLE'S  CAMP. 
Death  of  Captain  William  R.  Smith. 

On  the  Qth  of  January,  1864,  Mosby's  command,  then  composed 
of  only  three  companies,  A,  B  and  C,  left  Fauquier  County  about  the 
middle  of  the  day,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking,  and  capturing  if  pos 
sible,  Cole's  Battalion,  which  was  encamped  at  that  time  on  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  near  Harper's  Ferry.  The  snow  was 
quite  deep,  the  weather  intensely  cold  and  the  sufferings  of  the  men 
very  great,  many  of  them  having  their  hands  and  feet  frostbitten 
during  the  night.  We  stopped  about  dusk  at  the  home  of  Henry 
Heaton,  an  officer  in  Mosby's  command,  and  there  got  supper. 
Without  this  the  men  could  not  have  endured  the  intense  cold  of 
that  night. 

Marching  all  night  we  reached  the  Potomac  River  a  mile  or  two 
below  Harper's  Ferry,  and  traveled  along  the  bank  of  the  river  in 
a  northwesterly  direction  towards  Harper's  Ferry,  until  we  were 
between  that  place  and  Cole's  encampment.  Turning  to  the  left  we 


486 


MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 


ascended  a  high  hill  which  was  very  slippery  and  our  horses  with 
difficulty  got  to  the  plateau  above,  and  our  little  command  was 
strung  out  very  much  in  making  this  ascent. 

I  rode  a  portion  of  the  night  with  Captain  Smith,  and  during  the 
evening  he  showed  me  a  beautiful  gold  watch  which  his  wife  had 
given  to  him,  I  think  as  a  birthday  present.  We  talked  but  little 

of  the  prospective  fight,  and 
indeed  there  was  but  little  con 
versation  among  the  men. 
Some  kept  themselves  from 
freezing  by  cutting  a  hole  in 
the  center  of  the  blanket  that 
was  always  carried  strapped  to 
the  saddle,  and  inserted  their 
heads  through  the  hole,  letting 
the  blanket  fall  over  them  on 
the  horses. 

We  reached  the  rear  of  the 
camp  just  a  little  before  day. 
Col.  Mosby  detached  Capt. 
Stringfellow  with  a  squad  of 
men  to  go  to  the  house  occupied 
as  Col.  Cole's  headquarters,  for 
the  purpose  of  capturing  the 
commanding  officer.  An  attack 
was  at  once  ordered  by  Col. 
Mosby,  and  the  command,  those 
of  it  who  had  reached  the  top 
of  the  hill,  went  into  the  camp 
in  great  style,  completely  sur 
prising  the  men  therein.  The 
eneirry  were  quick  to  return  the 
fire,  many  of  them  firing  from 
their  tents  as  they  leaped  from 
their  cots,  and  wounded  and 
killed  some  of  our  best  men. 
The  fight  lasted  only  a  few 
minutes.  At  one  time  Mosby's 


B. 


SERGT.  JAMES  W.  WREXN,  CO 
From  a  photograph  taken  about  i8( 

men  had  possession  of  nearly  half  of  the  camp,  but  on  account  of  the 
confusion  resulting  from  the  men  with  Capt.  Stringfellow  and  those 
with  Col.  Mosby  mistaking  each  other  for  the  enemy  and  firing  on 
each  other,  Col.  Mosby,  as  soon  as  he  learned  of  this,  ordered  his 
men  from  the  camp.  Some  of  the  men  did  not  hear  this  order,  and 
hearing  the  cries  of  their  wounded  comrades,  undertook  to  get  them 
off  the  field.  I  had  the  impression  that  Col.  Mosby  himself  was 
wounded  in  the  camp,  and  wrhen  Capt.  Smith,  whom  I  came  up  with 
helping  Henry  Edmunds,  a  wyounded  soldier,  from  the  camp,  inquired 
of  me  where  Col.  Mosby  was,  I  replied  I  was  afraid  he  was  wounded 
and  in  the  camp.  I  proposed  that  we  go  back  and  find  him.  We  rode 
back  among  the  tents  and  I  recognized  Lieut.  Gray  with  two  or  three 
men  near  a  corner  of  the  camp.  Accompanied  by  one  of  these 
soldiers,  John  Tyler  Grayson,  we  rode  further  into  the  camp  and  dis 
covered  a  soldier  lying  on  the  ground  who  gave  his  name  as  Paxton, 
and  begged  us  to  remove  him  from  the  field.  We  sent  Grayson  after 
an  extra  horse  we  noticed  Lieut.  Gray  had.  A  few  seconds  after  he 
left  there  was  a  shot  fired  at  us  from  a  group  not  twenty  steps  dis 
tant.  Capt.  Smith  and  I  returned  the  fire,  and  then  a  volley  was 
fired  at  us.  The  flash  from  the  volley  for  a  moment  blinded  me  and 
a  feeling  of  thankfulness  that  we  had  escaped,  possessed  me,  when 


APPENDIX.  487 

suddenl}'  Smith  leaped  upward  from  the  saddle  and  fell  on  the  right 
side  of  his  horse,  his  left  foot  drawing  the  stirrup  over  the  right  side 
and  both  feet  hung  in  the  stirrups  with  his  head  on  the  snow.  I 
sprung  from  my  horse  and  asked  him  how  he  was  shot,  but  he  gave 
no  reply.  I  endeavored  to  lift  him  into  the  saddle  but  he  was  too 
heavy  for  me.  I  then  thought  of  the  watch  that  was  in  his  pocket  and 
tried  to  unbutton  his  overcoat  to  take  it  from  him,  but  my  hands  had 
become  so  cold  after  removing  my  gloves  to  go  into  the  fight  that  I 
could  not  unbutton  a  single  button.  I  knocked  his  feet  from  the 
stirrups,  mounted  my  horse  and  led  his  horse  from  the  camp.  I  went 
immediately  to  where  I  had  left  Lieut.  Gray,  told  him  what  had  hap 
pened  and  asked  him  to  help  me  to  recover  Smith's  body  and  look 
for  Col.  Mosby,  and  he  then  told  me  that  we  were  the  only  men  in 
the  camp;  that  Col.  Mosby  had  ordered  his  men  to  leave.  This  was 
the  first  I  had  heard  of  Col.  Mosby's  having  withdrawn  from  the 
attack.  I  soon  overtook  some  of  our  men  who  were  helping  wounded 
comrades.  I  remember  seeing  Lieut.  Von  Massow,  who  is  now  a 
Major  General  in  the  Prussian  army,  struggling  to  put  a  wounded 
man  on  a  horse. 

When  I  had  overtaken  Col.  Mosby  and  reported  to  him  an  account 
of  Capt.  Smith's  death,  he  sent  me  back  under  a  flag  of  truce  with  a 
proposition  to  exchange  the  prisoners  we  then  had  for  our  men  who 
were  killed  or  wounded.  I  was  accompanied  back  to  the  camp  by 
Private  Montjoy,  later  a  captain,  and  on  our  way  we  were  stopped 
at  a  house  not  far  from  the  camp  where  Lieut.  Tom  Turner,  of 
Mosby's  command,  had  been  carried  from  the  camp  mortally 
wounded.  I  shall  never  forget  the  expression  on  his  face  as  I  entered 
the  door.  He  was  lying  on  the  bed  with  his  head  propped  up  facing 
the  door.  The  surgeons  and  nurses  were  around  him;  the  pallor  of 
death  was  upon  his  face.  Notwithstanding  this  he  recognized  me,  and 
his  face  lighted  up  for  an  instant  and  then  changed.  He  died  soon 
afterwards.  My  mission  was  fruitless,  as  the  commanding  officer 
refused  to  make  the  proposed  exchange. 

W.  H.  CHAPMAN, 

Late  Lieut. -Col.  Mosby's  Command. 

In  a  letter  accompanying  the  above  personal  narrative  of  the 
attack  on  Cole's  Camp  and  the  deaths  of  Captain  Smith  and  Lieu 
tenant  Turner,  Colonel  Chapman  says: 

"As  I  was  the  only  person  \vith  Captain  William  Smith  at  the 
time  he  was  killed  I  have  written  an  account  of  the  fight  near  Harper's 
Ferry,  more  particularly  with  reference  to  the  immediate  cause  of  his 
death  than  to  try  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the  attempt  to  capture 
Cole's  Battalion.  His  willingness  and  readiness  to  go  back  into  the 
camp  and  rescue  our  commander,  whom  we  believed  had  fallen  in 
the  battle,  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice,  as  he  lost  his  life 
trying  to  save  his  friend." 


THE  LAST   SCOUT  IN   THE   REAR  OF  SHERIDAN'S  ARMY. 

I  am  indebted  to  Charles  H.  Dear  for  the  following: 
On  the  30th  of  March,  1865,  Colonel  Mosby  ordered  two  scouts 
to  the  Valley  for  information.  One,  under  Charlie  Wiltshire, .toward 
Winchester,  by  way  of  Snicker's  Ferry;  the  other,  under  Lieutenant 
Jim  Wiltshire,  to  cross  the  Shenandoah  River  at  Myers'  Ford,  lower 
down.  There  were  five  men  in  each  of  these  scouts,  composed  of 


488 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS. 


SERGT.  DAVID.  G. 

MOHLER  CO   H. 

From  photograph  taken 

March,  1872. 


some  of  the  best  material  in  the  command.  With  Jim  Wiltshire  was 
Ike  Anderson,  George  O'Bannon,  Charlie  Dear  and  Ned  Hurst.  All 
of  these  men,  except  Dear,  were  from  the  lower  Valley,  and  knew 
the  country.  Dear  had  scouted  it  so  often  with  Dolly  Richards,  the 
two  Wiltshires  and  John  Russell,  that  he  too  had  become  familiar 
with  it. 

We  crossed  the  Shenandoah  late  in  the 
evening  and  waited  until  dark  to  cross  the 
railroad.  Sheridan's  army  lay  at  Winchester. 
The  railroad  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  Winchester 
(Sheridan's  supply  road),  was  heavily  guarded. 
The  Baltimore  and  Ohio,  from  Harper's  Ferry 
to  Martinsburg,  was  also  heavily  guarded  and 
patrols  were  marching  up  and  down  the  Valley 
pike.  There  had  been  a  number  of  efforts  made 
in  the  winter  of  1864-65  to  cross,  most  of  which 
had  failed.  The  orders  we  received  were  im 
perative  to  cross  and  get  information. 

About  nine  o'clock  at  night  we  crossed  the 
railroad  near  Charlestown  without  making  any 
alarm. 

We  stopped  at  a  farmhouse  to  get  something 
to  eat  and  obtain  what  information  we  could. 
Wiltshire  announced  himself  as  Captain  Cooke,  of  the  Twelfth  Penn 
sylvania  Cavalry.  Dear  was  introduced  as  Lieutenant  Draper,  of 
Sheridan's  scouts.  The  others  were  officers  of  the  Twelfth  Penn 
sylvania  Cavalry  out  on  a  lark.  While  at  supper,  the  old  farmer 
grew  quite  sociable  and  communicative,  and  we  drew  out  a  good  deal 
of  valuable  information  from  him,  which  we  acted  upon.  While  we 
were  eating,  Jim  Wiltshire  (alias  Capt.  Cooke)  closed  a  deal  for  cab 
bage,  potatoes,  butter  and  eggs,  to  be  delivered  the  following  day  at 
Charlestown,  where  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  were  encamped. 
When  we  were  leaving  two  young  ladies  followed  us  to  the  door  and 
laughed  as  they  said:  "You  will  never  be  at  Charlestown  to-morrow, 
except  as  prisoners.  We  know  you;  we  have  seen  you  before,  but 
we  will  not  tell,  for  it  has  b  en  a  long  time  since  we  have  seen  a 
'Mosby  Man.' "  From  the  conversation  had  with  them  we  gleaned 
some  additional  facts  which  assisted  us  materially.  We  then  went 
in  the  direction  of  Martinsburg,  where  we  obtained  still  further 
information  from  our  Southern  friends  and  did  all  we  were  ordered 
to  do  in  that  vicinity.  Going  around  the  enemy's  pickets  with  care 
we  left  Darksville  by  a  bridle-path,  toward  Bunker  Hill. 

After  we  had  obtained  all  the  information  desired,  we  threw  off 
our  previous  caution.  The  boys  knew  if  we  were  hard  pressed  the 
only  way  to  get  out  was  to  go  to  North  Mountain,  around  'Sheridan's 
army,  because  they  were  now  on  the  lookout  for  us  in  all  directions. 
We  knew,  too,  that  the  mountains  were  infested  with  swamp  dragons 


APPENDIX.  489 

and  Confederate  deserters,  who  shot  everything  they  saw  in  gray. 
But  Mosby's  men  were  so  accustomed  to  engage  in  bold  and  hazard 
ous  enterprises  that  they  seldom  stopped  to  consider  the  chances 
of  danger.  We  missed  two  of  our  old  comrades,  Joe  Bryan  and  Ned 
Gibson,  both  of  whom  were  wounded  at  the  time.  The  boys  had 
confidence  in  Jim  Wiltshire,  whom  we  knew  would  bring  us  out. 

After  consultation,  we  thought  it  best  to  try  and  cross  the  Rail 
road  at  Summit  Point.  We  knew  the  Federals  would  be  looking  for 
us  everywhere  except  at  that  place;  and  their  cavalry  guarded  all 
the  roads.  Summit  Point  was  selected  for  the  reason  that  there  was 
a  large  block-house  at  that  place  guarded  by  a  force  of  infantry,  and 
we  had  the  advantage  of  the  woods  until  within  about  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  place.  When  we  arrived,  the  infantry  were  not  expect 
ing  us;  we  caught  them  napping,  sitting  out  sunning  themselves,  and 
charged  through  them,  yelling  and  shooting  right  and  left.  They 
fled  in  every  direction.  A  few  fired  at  us  from  the  block-house. 
Jim  Wiltshire's  horse  was  shot  within  fifteen  yards  of  the  block-house. 
Ned  Hurst,  seeing  his  comrade's  plight,  said:  "Get  up,  Jimmie,"  and 
taking  him  up  on  his  horse,  brought  him  out  safely. 

A  singular  coincidence  may  be  mentioned  in  connection  with  this 
affair:  At  the  same  hour,  and  almost  the  same  minute  that  Lieut. 
Jim  Wiltshire  and  his  men  charged  the  infantry  at  the  block-house 
at  Colonel  Baylor's,  near  Charlestown,  where  his  horse  was  shot, 
his  brother,  Charles  Wiltshire,  was  mortally  wounded  in  charging 
on  a  log  stable  at  Colonel  Bonham's,  twelve  miles  distant. 

We  got  out  safely,  successful  as  to  the  object  of  our  mission,  and 
were  very  happy  until  we  arrived  at  Castleman's  Ferry,  where  we 
met  John  Orrick  (G.  W.  Arrington)  and  Bartlett  Boiling,  both 
wounded.  They  told  us  of  the  mortal  wounding  of  our  comrades, 
Charlie  Wiltshire  and  George  Murray  Gill,  two  of  the  bravest 
among  the  brave.  Our  joy  was  turned  to  sorrow,  and  we  sadly 
wended  our  way  homeward. 

This  was  the  last  scout  in  the  rear  of  Sheridan's  army. 


LIEUT.-COL.    WILLIAM    H.    CHAPMAN'S    ACCOUNT    OF 

OPERATIONS   OF   A    PORTION    OF    MOSBY'S 

COMMAND  IN  NORTHERN  NECK  OF 

VIRGINIA,   IN   1865 

I  received  orders  from  Col.  Mosby  to  proceed,  with  Companies 
C,  E,  F  and  G,  to  the  Northern  Neck  of  Virginia.  I  was  also 
directed  to  go  to  Richmond  and  Petersburg  and  receive  such  instruc 
tions  from  General  Lee  as  he  might  give  concerning  our  operations 
in  that  section. 

The  command  left  Salem,  Va.,  January  3,  1865,  in  command  of 
Capt.  Samuel  F.  Chapman,  commanding  Co.  E,  and  I  left  for  Rich- 


490  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

mond  and  Petersburg.  I  left  the  cars  at  Petersburg  for  General  Lee's 
headquarters  during  a  hard  storm  of  rain  and  sleet.  I  passed  through 
portions  of  regiments  camped,  not  in  tents  but  in  holes  or  burrows 
the  soldiers  had  dug  in  the  ground  to  find  shelter  from  the  cold 
weather.  On  that  day  I  experienced  my  first  depression  and  doubt 
of  the  success  of  our  cause. 

When  I  reached  Gen.  Lee's  headquarters  my  name  was  taken  into 
his  room  and  I  was  immediately  sent  for.  I  shall  never  forget  the 
feeling  I  had  on  this  occasion.  There  was  scarcely  any  furniture  in 
the  room — some  chairs  and  a  table — and  but  little  fire  in  the  fire 
place.  General  Lee  talked  to  me  more  like  a  father  than  the  great 
commander  that  he  was.  He  gave  me  instructions  about  taking  care 
of  my  men,  and  cautioned  me  to  move  my  camp  frequently,  lest  we 
be  surprised  and  captured  by  the  enemy  I  saw  plainly  that  General 
Lee  did  not  know  how  we  had  subsisted  as  soldiers  in  Fauquier  and 
Loudoun  Counties,  and  I  did  not  enlighten  him  for  fear  he  might 
interfere  with  the  methods  we  had  found  most  expedient  for  effective 
service  and  for  keeping  the  command  together.  While  I  was  in  his 
room  a  courier  came  in  for  the  mail  and  orders  that  were  to  be  sent 
out.  It  was  raining  hard  and  General  Lee  saw  that  the  courier  had 
but  little  to  protect  him  from  the  terrible  weather,  and  asked  him  if 
he  had  a  coat.  When  the  soldier  replied  that  he  had  none  General 
Lee  got  up  and  taking  his  own  gum  coat  handed  it  to  the  soldier. 
I  left  soon  after  with  a  despondent  feeling,  and  passed  through 
Richmond  and  on  to  Hamilton's  Crossing,  where  I  was  met  by  some 
of  our  men  and  went  on  to  Northern  Neck. 

When  I  reached  there  I  found  that  all  the  men  had  readily  found 
homes  with  the  citizens.  Company  C  was  in  Westmoreland  Co., 
E  in  Richmond  and  Companies  F  and  G  in  Northumberland  and 
Lancaster  Counties.  Each  company  met  regularly  at  a  place  desig 
nated  for  a  cavalry  drill — there  was  little  else  for  us  to  do.  We 
could  watch  the  gun-boats  passing  up  and  down  the  Potomac  River, 
and  on  clear  days  look  across  to  Point  Lookout  and  grieve  over  the 
condition  of  our  soldiers  imprisoned  there,  and  try  to  invent  some 
scheme  by  which  to  rescue  them.  I  met  some  officers  of  the  Con 
federate  Navy  who  were  engaged  in  constructing  small  boats  for 
running  the  blockade  across  the  Potomac,  and  discussed  with  them 
plans  for  making  an  attack  on  Point  Lookout,  but  the  water  was  too 
rough  to  use,  in  carrying  out  such  a  plan,  such  boats  as  we  could 
make  and  conceal. 

Captain  Tom  Richards  of  Company  G  made  a  trip  to  Williams- 
burg  on  a  scouting  expedition,  and  created  considerable  consternation 
and  captured  a  number  of  prisoners.1 

Headquarters  Battery  L,  16th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  February  11,  1865  DUDLEY  to  HICKS:  — 
I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  our  picket-post  at  Williamsburg  was  surprised  this  morning  about  3 
o'clock  by  a  party  of  rebel  cavalry  numbering  from  20  to  25  men,  who  advanced  by  the  Richmond  road. 
The  vedette  on  the  Richmond  road  challenged  them  and  receiving  no  reply  attempted  to  discharge  his 
carbine  but  the  cap  snapped.  He  then  retreated  on  the  reserve  but  was  wounded  in  two  places.  The 
enemy  then  advanced  as  far  as  the  reserve,  evidently  with  the  design  of  capturing  the  horses  there 


APPENDIX.  491 

The  command  had  been  sent  to  the  Northern  Neck  in  response  to 
a  request  from  the  citizens  for  protection  from  raiding  parties,  and 
also  because  of  lack  of  subsistence  for  the  whole  of  Mosby's  com 
mand  in  the  country  where  it  had  been  operating.  On  March  6th 
I  was  at  Fredericksburg,  and  going  down  the  river  about  five  miles 
I  saw  ten  transports  and  three  gun-boats,  loaded  with  troops,  some 
of  the  boats  being  anchored  about  five  miles  from  town.  After  dark 
I  went  with  three  men  as  near  the  boats  as  I  could  get,  trying  to 
learn  the  object  of  this  raid  or  expedition,  and  was  halted  by  a 
picket  on  shore  wrho  fired  at  us  and  wounded  one  of  my  men,  Pear 
son,  in  the  calf  of  the  leg.  On  the  following  morning  they  burned 
the  depot  and  stores  at  Hamilton's  Crossing  and  captured  some  Con 
federate  wagons,  and  then,  about  3  o'clock,  went  aboard  their  trans 
ports  and  started  for  Fortress  Monroe. 

On  Sunday  morning,  March  12,  news  reached  me  that  the  Yankees 
were  landing  infantry  and  cavalry  at  Kinsale,  five  or  six  miles  east 
of  The  Hague.  I  at  once  sent  couriers  to  the  company  commanders, 
collected  a  few  men  in  that  vicinity,  and  started  for  Kinsale  with 
about  15  men.  It  seems  that  they  had  on  several  occasions  landed  a 
force  of  troops  on  the  Northern  Neck,  when  they  would  march  up 
the  Rappahannock  side  of  the  county,  then  across  the  Neck  at  Fred 
ericksburg,  and  come  back  on  the  Potomac  side,  collecting  all  the 
stock  they  could  and  carry  it  off.  The  citizens  thought  they  were 
preparing  for  another  such  raid,  and,  judging  from  past  experience, 
thought  the  same  route  would  be  taken.  I  had  not  gone  more  than 
half  a  mile  before  I  met  Wat  Bowie,  who  lived  in  that  section,  and 
two  or  three  others  with  a  couple  of  prisoners,  and  was  told  that  a 
regiment  of  cavalry  was  just  behind  them.  I  immediately  withdrew 
from  the  road  and  took  my  men  in  the  woods  to  conceal  them,  and 
directed  Bowie  and  his  party  to  march  on  and  draw  their  advance 
guard  as  far  from  the  regiment  as  possible,  in  order  to  give  me  an 
opportunity  to  get  between  them  and  the  column.  Unfortunately  the 
place  where  I  met  Bowie  w-as  very  near  the  point  where  the  wooded 
section  stopped  and  the  cleared  land  began  on  both  sides  of  the  road, 
and  it  was  impossible  for  me  after  getting  in  the  w>oods  to  pass 
beyond  the  point  where  I  had  turned  in  without  exposing  my  men 
to  the  view  of  the  advancing  column.  When  the  advance  guard 
reached  that  point  they  observed  our  tracks  and  came  to  a  halt 
directly  in  front  of  us.  There  was  nothing  for  us  to  do  but  to  charge 
them,  which  we  did  with  such  a  yell  that  they  must  have  imagined 
we  had  a  whole  regiment.  There  were  at  last  30  men  in  the  advance 

stationed.     I  regret  to  state  that  they  succeeded  so  far  in  their  object,  capturing  four  and  killing  one. 

'The  following  casualties  occurred  in  the  force  stationed  at  the  reserve:  Private  Hall,  Co.  H.  20th 
New  York  Cavalry;  Privates  Belden  and  Dix,  Co.  G,  4th  Mass.  Cavalry  and  Private  Libee.  Co.  D. 
16th  New  York  Vol.  Artillery,  wounded;  Private  Cowan,  Co.  D,  16th  New  York  Vol.  Artillery,  killed; 
3  hoises  4th  Mass.  Cavalry,  captured;  one  horse.  First  New  York  Mounted  Rifles,  killed  and  one 
captured. 

"I  have  to  state  that  as  soon  as  the  alarm  was  brought  into  camp  Capt.  Bouve,  4th  Mass.  Cavalry  and 
Lieut.  David  Earlc,  First  New  York  Mounted  Rifles,  lost  not  a  moment  in  turning  out  their  respective 
commands." 


492  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

guard,  who  turned  and  ran  back  towards  their  column,  while  we 
pursued  as  fast  as  possible,  capturing  some  of  them  and  passing  many 
of  them  before  we  met  the  head  of  the  column  just  at  the  top  of  a 
little  hill.  The  head  of  the  column  was  thrown  into  confusion  by  a 
portion  of  the  advance  guard  rushing  back  on  them,  and  it  was  with 
some  difficulty  that  the  commanding  officer  could  prevent  his  men 
from  being  put  to  flight.  I  was  riding  a  mare  that  was  very  fast 
and  hard  to  hold  when  excited,  and  was  carried  into  the  head  of  the 
column,  and  I  distinctly  heard  this  officer  scolding  his  men  and  ask 
ing  them  if  they  were  "going  to  let  a  dozen  men  whip  a  regiment." 
I  had  to  pull  my  mare  into  the  corner  of  a  rail  fence  before  I  could 
turn,  and  could  see  the  splinters  flying  from  the  rails  from  the  bul 
lets  fired  at  me.  There  were  two  of  my  men  (one  of  them  Wat 
Bowie)  just  behind  me.  When  we  wheeled  to  go  back  we  found 
nearly  half  of  the  Federals  we  had  passed  in  the  charge  without  dis 
arming,  directly  in  front  of  us,  and  to  escape  them  we  took  a  road 
leading  off  from  the  shop  to  the  right.  The  regiment  soon  rallied 
and  started  in  pursuit  of  our  men,  keeping  the  main  road,  and  fol 
lowed  them  up  to  The  Hague.  We  made  a  detour  and  reached  a 
body  of  woods  which  we  kept  in  until  we  came  to  the  road  over 
which  we  had  passed  in  going  into  this  charge  and  captured  the 
guard  who  were  taking  Lieut.  Robinson  and  two  other  of  our  men 
to  the  rear,  and  also  captured  two  cavalrymen  who  were  taking  two 
negroes  to  the  rear. 

The  men  assembled  at  their  meeting  places  very  quickly  and  later 
in  the  day  we  got  together  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  forward 
march  of  the  Federal  troops.  There  were  2,000  infantry  and  300 
cavalry  landed  from  the  Federal  boats  on  March  I2th.  After  the 
attack  at  the  blacksmith  shop  the  cavalry  fell  back  upon  the  infantry 
and  they  moved  back  to  Kinsale  during  the  evening,  abandoning  the 
raid  which  they  proposed  making  through  that  section.  We  followed 
closely  upon  their  flanks  and  rear,  and  after  we  had  gotten  our  force 
together  made  repeated  efforts  to  get  the  cavalry  away  from  the 
infantry.  I  rode  in  company  with  Serg.  Biedler  out  in  an  open  field, 
exposing  ourselves  to  plain  view,  thinking  the  cavalry  would  pursue 
us,  my  men  being  in  a  body  of  woods  close  by  ready  to  attack.  I 
observed  some  sharpshooters  passing  into  a  body  of  pines  on  my 
left  and  called  Biedler's  attention  to  it  and  we  started  to  move  out 
•of  range,  just  as  I  turned  my  mare  a  shot  from  one  of  them  struck 
her  in  the  hind  leg  at  the  hock  joint.  A  volley  was  fired  at  the  same 
time,  and  the  mare  while  in  this  excited  state  ran  for  over  100  yards 
on  three  legs  and  carried  me  under  a  hill  out  of  range  of  the  bullets. 
She  was  the  most  valuable  animal  I  owned  during  the  war  and  I 
regretted  her  loss  very  much.  The  infantry  and  cavalry  kept  well 
together  until  they  got  to  their  boats. 

While  I  was  making  a  scout  on  their  flank  my  brother,  Captain 
Sam  Chapman,  who  was  following  closely,  made  an  attack  on  the 


APPENDIX.  493. 

rear  of  the  column  just  about  dark,  and  in  this  attack  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  thigh.  John  Horsley  had  his  horse  shot  in 
the  fight. 

I  watched  the  movements  of  the  Federals,  and  during  the  night 
they  went  aboard  their  vessels  and  sailed  away  from  that  vicinity  the 
following  day.  They  fired  a  number  of  shots  from  their  gun-boats, 
some  of  them  passing  over  the  place  where  we  were  lying  in  the 
woods,  but  no  damage  was  done. 

We  kept  up  our  scouting,  and  occasionally  a  gun-boat  would  run 
up  the  Machodoc  and  other  streams,  but  no  attempt  was  made  to  land 
troops. 

I  was  ordered  by  Col.  Mosby  to  move  with  tne  troops  under  my 
command  to  Fauquier  County.  We  left  Northern  Neck  on  April 
9th,  reached  Warrenton  on  the  I2th,  camped  that  night  at  Mr.  James 
Blackwell's,  near  Bethel,  and  I  reported  that  night  or  the  next  day 
to  Col.  Mosby. 

W.  H.  CHAPMAN, 

Late  Lieut. -Col.  Mosby 's  Command. 


FIVE  TO  ONE— FRANK  WILLIAMS'  FIGHT  NEAR  ASHBY'S 

LANE. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1863,  while  riding  from  Middleburg  to 
Scumeburg,  Lieutenant  Frank  Williams  stopped  to  water  his  horse 
in  a  little  stream  near  the  Piedmont  road.  While  thus  engaged  he 
heard  the  clatter  of  approaching  horses,  and  looking  back  saw  two 
Federal  cavalrymen  close  upon  him.  So  close  wrere  they  that  the 
stripes  of  a  Sergeant  were  plainly  visible  on  his  arm.  Just  behind 
these  twro  were  three  more.  The  rippling  of  the  water  prevented 
him  from  hearing  their  approach  until  they  were  right  upon  him. 
This  made  five  to  one  in  dangerously  close  quarters,  with  the 
further  knowledge  that  there  must  be  more  in  the  immediate  vicinity, 
for  small  parties  of  the  enemy  never  ventured  into  the  confines  of 
Mosby's  Confederacy.  He  immediately  decided  to  escape  by  flight 
if  possible,  if  not,  to  fight.  To  carry  out  his  first  intention,  he  put 
spurs  to  his  horse  and  dashed  up  the  road  leading  to  Mr.  Jamison 
Ashby's  residence.  The  Federals  followed  in  hot  pursuit,  firing 
rapidly  at  close  range.  For  awhile  he  seemed  to  gain  on  his  pursuers, 
but  just  then  his  horse  was  wounded.  The  animal  slowed  down  and 
began  to  limp. 

Williams  was  now  compelled  to  choose  between  the  alternative 
of  surrendering  or  fighting  against  heavy  odds.  Drawing  his  pistol 
he  turned  and  faced  his  pursuers.  Two  of  them  were  within  twenty 
feet  of  him;  the  others,  a  hundred  yards  or  more  away.  His  only 
hope  now  lay  in  disposing  of  the  two  in  front.  Withholding  his  fire 
until  he  could  almost  touch  the  one  in  advance  he  pulled  the  trigger. 
His  pistol  snapped  and  the  Federal  cavalryman  dealt  him  a  stunning 


494  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

blow  with  his  sabre  across  his  head.  The  blood  ran  down  in  a 
stream  over  his  face  and  shoulders. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  critical  moment  for  Williams.  His  horse 
wounded,  his  head  badly  cut,  his  eyes  partially  blinded  with  the  blood 
flowing  from  his  wounds,  and  his  pistol  had  snapped  when  he  had 
staked  his  life  upon  that  shot.  The  trooper  who  had  sabred  him 
was  riding  so  fast  that  he  was  unable  to  check  his  horse  until  he 
had  passed  him  by.  Williams  then  wheeled  his  horse  in  behind  his 
enemy  and  started  on  in  pursuit,  thus  presenting  the  novel  scene  of 
pursuing  and  being  pursued  at  the  same  time. 

This  situation  could  not  last  and  Williams  knew  it  was  nearing 
the  end.  His  horse  was  fast  weakening,  and  to  save  himself  he  was 
compelled  again  to  face  about.  This  second  Federal  cavalryman  had 
evidently  emptied  his  pistol,  for  he  attacked  Williams  with  drawn 
sabre.  Williams  gave  him  a  shot  or  two  at  close  range,  which  proved 
effectual.  Though  not  unhorsed  he  was  disabled,  and  died  while 
encamped  at  Air.  Hathaway's. 

By  this  time  the  trooper  in  front  had  turned  around  and  dashed 
at  Williams  with  uplifted  sabre,  riding  up  to  the  very  muzzle  of  a 
pistol  aimed  directly  at  him.  This  time  the  pistol  fired  clear  and 
true,  and  the  trooper  rolled  from  the  saddle  mortally  wounded.  So 
close  was  he  that  as  the  shot  was  fired  he  gave  Williams  another  cut 
on  the  head  with  his  sabre.  As  the  other  three  Federals  were  but  a 
short  distance  off  he  turned  and  rode  his  limping  horse  away,  and 
greatly  to  his  surprise  they  allowed  him  to  ride  slowly  off  without 
making  any  effort  to  overtake  him,  as  they  easily  could  have  done. 

A  short  distance  beyond  the  house,  his  horse  getting  down  to  a 
slow  walk,  Williams  dismounted  and  hid  in  a  thicket.  From  his 
hiding  place  he  saw  the  Federal  cavalrymen,  now  numbering  twenty 
or  more,  carry  their  wounded  comrade  to  Mr.  Ashby's,  where  he 
died.  After  they  left,  Williams  made  his  way  to  a  nearby  house 
where  he  had  his  wounds  dressed.  Next  morning  he  learned  his 
horse  was  dead. 


DR.  DUNN  ("Our  Doctor") 

Dr.  William  L.  Dunn  was  a  universal  favorite  in  the  command. 
He  was  familiarly  and  affectionately  spoken  of  as  "Our  Doctor." 
Colonel  Mosby,  speaking  of  a  visit  to  army  headquarters  near  Peters 
burg,  said: 

"When  I  got  off  the  train  I  recognized  in  the  crowd  the  face  of 
an  old  college-mate,  Dr.  Monteiro,  whom  I  had  not  seen  for  thirteen 
years.  I  had  changed  so  much  he  did  not  recognize  me  until  I  told 
him  my  name.  He  was  then  a  surgeon  in  Wise's  Brigade  and  I  told 
him  he  was  the  very  man  T  wanted,  for  the  surgeon  I  had,  Dr.  Will 
Dunn,  was  too  fond  of  fighting.  I  wanted  one  that  took  more  pride 
in  curing  than  in  killing." 


APPENDIX.  495 

Dr.  Dunn  now  resides  at  Glade  Spring,  Va.  In  reply  to  my  letter 
asking  for  information,  he  says: 

"Gen.  William  E.  Jones'  old  company  was  Company  D,  First  Vir 
ginia  Cavalry,  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart's  old  regiment.  Mosby,  Fount, 
Beattie  (Jasper  and  Davy  Jones  were  brothers,  and  were  cousins  of 
Gen.  Wm.  E.  Jones),  John  Sanders  and  Dr.  Wm.  L.  Dunn  were 
privates  in  that  company.  When  Jones  was  promoted  to  Colonel  he 
made  Mosby  Adjutant.  I  was  transferred  to  Medical  Staff,  stationed 
in  Officers'  Hospital,  Richmond,  Va.,  until  August,  1863,  when  at  the 
request  of  Mosby,  made  to  Surgeon-General  S.  P.  Moore,  was  trans 
ferred  to  43rd  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry;  my  rank  was  Assistant 
Surgeon  P.  A.  C.  S.,  acting  as  Surgeon;  was  promoted  Surgeon  on 
March  I,  1865,  and  no  change  made  in  my  assignment;  that  is,  was 
left  with  and  officially  addressed  from  head  of  Medical  Department 
C.  S.  A.,  as  Surgeon  43rd  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry. 

"My  first  fight  was  at  Billy  Gooding's  Tavern.  \Vhen  Mosby  wa> 
wounded  his  horse  was  also  wounded.  He  called  to  Bush.  Under 
wood,  Frank  Williams  and  myself  to  go  with  him  to  the  rear.  Just 
as  I  was  done  dressing  his  wound,  parties  of  the  enemy  that  had  been 
dispersed  by  Lieut.  Tom  Turner  passed  so  near  us  there  was  danger 
of  Mosby  being  captured.  I  put  him  on  my  horse  and  after  gathering 
up  my  instruments,  mounted  a  Yankee  horse  I  had  captured. 

"The  way  I  kept  out  of  the  affair  with  Blazer  at  Myers'  Ford  was, 
Mosby,  after  placing  Joe  Nelson  with  the  command  in  reserve, 
selected  Joe  Owen,  Flynn,  Theodore  Mohler  and  a  few  others;  then, 
after  sending  out  Joe  Owen  with  a  party,  he  had  left  Flynn,  Mohler 
and  myself.  He  sent  Flynn  and  myself  to  bring  in  some  ambulances 
passing  down  the  pike  at  Halltown.  When  we  gathered  them  in  we 
found  they  were  loaded  with  wounded.  We  let  them  pass,  and  were 
bringing  in  a  band  in  a  band-wagon.  We  had  got  about  twenty 
yards  from  the  pike  when  Mosby  sent  Mohler  to  inform  us  that  a 
battalion  of  cavalry  was  after  us.  We  broke  up  the  slope  for  the 
woods  in  the  direction  of  the  river.  Mohler's  horse  gave  out,  and 
Flynn  and  myself  had  a  time  holding  them  off  from  him  until  he 
reached  the  woods.  Mohler  then  dismounted,  hid  his  gray  jacket  and 
pistols  under  a  log,  pulled  the  legs  of  his  tow-linen  pants  over  his 
boots  and  went  back,  meeting  the  Federal  cavalry,  who  wanted  to 
know  where  he  was  going.  His  reply  was,  pointing  to  some  cabins 
on  the  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  'I  live  over  thar;  come  over  here  to 
shuck  some  corn.  Too  many  soljer  mans  here  for  me;  I'm  goin' 
home.' 

"They  inquired,  'Have  you  seen  any  Rebs?' 

"'Yes;  woods  full  of  'em.'  He  passed  right  through  them,  got 
into  a  boat  and  crossed  the  Shenandoah  to  the  Blue  Ridge  in  safety. 

"This  enabled  Flynn  and  me  to  retire  at  our  leisure.  We  re 
joined  the  command  at  Osborne's,  where,  as  we  rode  up,  Col.  Mosby 


496  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

took   off  his  hat,  waved  it  and  cheered  us,  apparently  much  rejoiced! 
at  our  escape  from  what  appeared  to  be  inevitable  destruction." 


THE  BLAZER  AFFAIR. 

In  reporting  this  affair  Gen.  Sheridan  says: 

Kernstown,  Va.,  November  21,  1864. 

Sheridan  to  Halleck:  "Captain  Blazer,  with  his  company  of  scouts,, 
had  a  fight  with  Mosby  on  the  i8th  instant;  killed  seven  or  eight  of 
Mosby's  men,  and  followed  him  across  into  Loudoun  C«unty.  Blazer 
then  returned  and  went  to  Kabletown.  On  the  igth  Mosby  recrossed 
the  mountains  and  attacked  Blazer;  killed  16,  wounded  6,  and  scat 
tered  the  command.  29  come  in;  n  are  still  missing.  Blazer  had  62 
and  Mosby  115  men." 

Sheridan  gives  the  number  missing  (prisoners)  as  eleven.  I 
went  out  to  Richmond  with  22  prisoners  taken  in  this  fight  with 
Blazer,  and  Blazer  was  not  among  them,  and  there  was  not  a 
wounded  man  among  them.  From  this  fact  alone  I  know  that 
Sheridan's  report  is  not  correct,  for  Blazer  was  taken  out  by  another 
party;  and  as  there  were  wounded  men  among  the  prisoners  taken,. 
they  must  have  gone  with  Blazer  and  another  guard. 

From  a  letter  received  from  Major  A.  E.  Richards,  who  com 
manded  us  on  this  occasion,  in  reply  to  one  I  wrote  him  inquiring  as 
to  certain  facts  concerning  the  Blazer  affair,  I  make  the  following 
extract: 

"I  think  your  recollection  of  the  number  of  men  Blazer  had  with 
him  in  his  fight,  is  about  correct.  His  command  numbered  some 
where  between  100  and  105  men — probably  nearer  100.  Sheridan's 
account  is  not  correct.  I  continued  the  pursuit  in  person  for  some 
distance  beyond  the  Valley  Turnpike.  Sheridan  says  29  returned. 
He  must  be  mistaken  in  the  number.  To  the  best  of  my  recollection 
we  killed  24  and  captured  62,  12  of  whom  were  wounded,  including 
Blazer  himself.  I  do  not  think  more  than  15  or  16  escaped.  My 
recollection  is  that  I  had  just  about  125  men  all  told.  This  has 
always  been  fixed  in  my  memory  by  the  following  incident:  After 
we  had  gotten  safely  across  the  Shenandoah  River  with  our  prison 
ers,  I  had  Blazer  brought  to  the  head  of  the  column,  where  I  rode 
with  him  for  some  distance.  During  the  conversation  I  asked  hira 
how  many  men  he  had  in  the  fight.  He  answered,  about  100.  I  then 
asked  if  he  did  not  know  before  the  fight  how  many  I  had.  He  said 
he  did.  "Then,"  I  inquired,  "why  did  you  seek  the  encounter?"  He 
replied,  with  evident  candor,  he  believed  until  that  day  that  one  of 
his  men  could  whip  at  least  two  of  Mosby's.  It  made  such  an  im 
pression  upon  me  that  I  have  never  forgotten  the  conversation.  And 
yet  his  confidence  was  doubtless  justified  by  the  fact  that  he  had 
been  successful  in  all  previous  encounters  with  our  men." 

In  an  article  written  and  published  some  ten  years  ago  Col. 
Mosby,  speaking  of  this  Blazer  fight,  says: 

"In  proportion  to  the  number  engaged,  it  was  one  of  the  most 
destructive  cavalry  fights  on  record.  As  a  fair  and  square  mounted 
combat,  boot  to  boot  and  hilt  to  hilt,  and  as  an  illustration  of  pluck 
and  tactical  skill,  nothing  in  the  war  surpassed  it.  As  soon  as  the 
fight  was  over,  the  victors  and  the  vanquished  were  on  the  friendliest 


APPENDIX. 


497 


terms,  and  the  exultation  of  the  fierce  warriors  was  tempered  with 
all  the  grace  of  chivalry.  Blazer  shared  the  contents  of  his  canteen 
with  Harry  Hatcher,  and  in  the  refreshing  draught  they  found  obliv 
ion  of  all  the  trials  and  dangers  of  war.  That  night  Blazer  and  his 
captors  had  a  high  jinks.  Richards  treated  him  with  all  the  courtesy 
that  the  'Black  Prince'  showed  to  his  royal  captive.  Blazer,  too,  had 
the  consolation  of  the  fallen  monarch — if  he  had  lost  the  battle,  he 
had  not  lost  his  honor." 

In  a  letter  I  received  from  Dr.  W.  L.  Dunn,  he  says: 
"Did  it  ever  occur  to  you  what  a  fine  officer  Major  A.  E.  Richards 
was,  and  how  completely  he  had  the  confidence  of  the  men,  to  take 
the  same  men  that  Blazer  had  surprised  and  routed  and  lead  them 
into  action  with  Blazer  again,  not  only  willingly  but  anxious  to  try 
it  over.  Richards  only  had  Harry  Hatcher,  Tom  Richards,  two  men 
of  undaunted  courage,  and  that  man  of  peace,  Surgeon  Dunn,  that 
Nelson  did  not  have." 


CHARLES  A.  DUNNINGTON,  COMPANY  D. 

Charles  A.  Dunnington  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  the 
call  of  Virginia  for  troops.  He  came  out  with  the  Prince  William 
Cavalry,  and  was  captured  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  June  i,  1861,  in 
the  skirmish  in  which  Capt.  John  Q.  Marr  was  killed. 

In  his  report  of  the  fight,  Gen 
eral  McDowell  says:  "Among  the 
prisoners  captured  was  Charles 
A.  Dunnington,  of  the  Prince 
William  Cavalry.  The  prisoners 
are  at  the  Navy  Yard  and  do  not 
Seem  to  realize  their  position, 
most  of  them  appearing  entirely 
Unconcerned  and  having  a  jolly 
time  with  cards,  etc.  Dunning 
ton  is  the  son  of  C.  W.  C.  Dun 
nington,  formerly  Chief  of  the 
Capitol  Police." 

He  afterwards  narrowly  es 
caped  a  second  term  of  prison 
life.  In  the  early  part  of  Octo 
ber,  1863,  upon  his  return  from 
Richmond,  where  he  had  been  to 
deliver  prisoners,  he  was  called 
to  Fitz  Lee's  headquarters  and 
ordered  to  take  a  scouting  party 


CHARLES  A.  DUNNINGTON.  CO.  D. 
From  a  war-time  photograph. 


to  Stafford  Court  House,  to  ascertain  the  position  of  a  brigade  of 
Cavalry  encamped  there  and  the  feasibility  of  surrounding  and  cap 
turing  them.  Crossing  the  river  at  the  "Bernard  House,"  below  Fred- 
ericksburg,  after  nightfall,  he  and  four  of  his  former  men  of  the 


498 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS 


Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry  went  on  foot  to  the  place.  Finding  that 
there  was  a  division  instead  of  a  brigade,  and  seeing  no  chance  to 
accomplish  anything,  he  gave  permission  to  his  companions  to  visit 
their  homes  and  report  to  him  the  ensuing  night  at  Hartwood  Church, 
up  the  river  from  Falmouth. 

The  walk  had  been  very  fatiguing  and  when  Dunnington  reached 
the  rendezvous  at  dark  he  was  well  worn  out,  so,  while  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  his  companions,  he  concluded  to  rest  under  the 
shelter  of  a  large  cedar  tree.  Sleep  stole  upon  him  unawares 
and  he  was  awakened  at  sunrise  by  a  bugle  call  for  reveille.  Rising 
upon  his  feet  lie  discovered  hmself  in  the  midst  of  Buford's  Divi 
sion  of  Cavalry,  which  had  bivouacked  there  while  he  slept.  For 
a  moment  he  stood,  uncertain  of  the  course  to  pursue.  Then,  as 
the  soldiers  fell  into  ranks  and  began  answering  to  roll-call,  he  threw 
his  jacket  over  his  arm  (his  trousers  were  blue),  sauntered  past 
several  companies,  and  climbing  a  worm  fence  into  a  cornfield,  made 
a  lively  dash  to  a  branch  lined  by  alder  bushes.  Halting  at  the 
head  of  the  brook,  which  was  fed  by  a  fine  spring,  he  awaited  the 
approach  of  a  man  coming  from  a  house  upon  the  hill  for  a  bucket 
of  water,  ascertained  the  command  from  which  he  had  just  escaped 
and  was  guided  to  a  path  which  led  to  a  ridge  road  in  the  direction 
of  Falmouth;  he  was  then  enabled  to  recross  the  river  and  report  to 
General  Lee  before  sundown. 

Dunnington  afterwards  joined  Mosby,  and  as  a  member  of  Company 
D  remained  with  us  until  the  disbanding  of  the  command. 


G.  W.  ARRINGTON. 

For  the  benefit  of  any  old  comrade  who  may  fail  to  recognize  in 
this  picture  G.  W.  Arrington,  I  will 
state  that  G.  W.  Arrington  and  John  C. 
Orrick  are  one  and  the  same  person. 

There  are  few  men,  no  matter  how 
short  their  term  of  service  with  Mosby 
was,  but  knew,  at  least  by  reputation, 
if  not  personally,  John  C.  Orrick.  A 
history  of  his  life  and  adventures,  if 
written,  would  read  more  like  romance 
than  reality. 

He  had  two  reasons  for  changing  his 
name.     One  was  that  he  was  disinherited 
by  his  grandmother,  who  was  a  staunch 
Union    sympathizer     and    a    woman    of 
G.  W.  ARRINGTON  (JOHN  C.      great  wealth,  and  he  her  only  grandchild. 
ORRICK)  CO.  C.  she  was  so  incensed  at  him  because   of 

From  photograph  taken  May  7,       hig  services  in  the  Confederacy  that  she 


APPENDIX. 


499 


cut  him  off  without  a  cent.  The  other  reason  grew  out  of  his  con 
nection  with  the  Ku-Klux-Klan.  Some  years  later  he  had  his  name 
changed  by  law  from  Orrick  to  Arrington,  that  being  his  mother's 
maiden  name. 

He  was  among  the  first  to  enter  the  Confederate  service  as  a  private 
in  an  Alabama  infantry  regiment,  and  served  with  that  command  until 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  badly  wounded, — thought  to 
be  permanently  disabled,  but  recovered  and  entered  Mosby's  command 
as  a  private.  Here  his  bravery  as  a  soldier  and  his  daring  and 
strategy  as  a  scout  gained  for  him 
a  reputation  ranking  him  as  one 
of  the  best,  and  this,  when  said  of 
one  of  Mosby's  Men,  is  a  distinc 
tion  to  be  proud  of.  For  this  lat 
ter  duty  he  had  a  peculiar  fitness 
and  rendered  valuable  service  in 
that  capacity.  While  scouting  in 
Maryland  he  several  times  visited 
Baltimore  and  Washington,  se 
curing  important  information. 

On  one  occasion  Mosby  sent 
him  to  the  vicinity  of  Frederick 
City,  Maryland,  to  ascertain  the 
Federal  forces  there  and  their 
position.  Crossing  the  Potomac 
at  White's  Ford,  he  donned  a 
suit  of  citizen's  clothes  and  ob 
taining  a  horse  and  buggy  from 
a  friend,  started  out  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  camps.  Near  Mon- 
ocacy  Junction  there  was  a  camp 
and  he  wanted  to  learn  the  force 
there.  As  he  stopped  by  the  rail 
road  the  picket  on  post  called  out 
to  him  and  demanded  his  busi-  G.W.  ARRINGTON 4 JOHN  C.  ORRICK.) 
ness.  He  replied  that  his  horse  From  picture  taken  May,  1878,  when  Captain 
was  wild — was  afraid  of  the  cars,  Frontier  Battalion  Texas  Rangers, 

and  he  was  waiting  for  the  ap 
proaching  train  to  pass  that  he  might  cross  the  track.  Then,  while 
sitting  in  his  buggy,  he  busied  himself  in  counting  the  tents,  and  by 
reckoning  six  men  to  a  tent  he  could  figure  up  the  strength  of  the 
force  at  that  point.  Having  accomplished  the  object  of  his  mission 
he  returned  the  borrowed  clothes  and,  putting  on  his  uniform, 
recrossed  the  river  and  made  his  report  at  headquarters.  After  the 
surrender  and  the  disbanding  of  our  command  he  was  paroled  by 
General  Chapman,  near  Berryville,  April  29,  1865. 

After  being  paroled  he  went  to  Mexico,  to  join  Maximillian,  and 
on  his  return  to  Alabama  in  the  winter  of  1866,  he  found  his  home 


500  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

enduring  all  the  blight  and  misery  of  the  reconstruction  days.  There 
were  few  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  but  were  virtually  dis 
franchised;  civil  law  was  only  partially  reestablished;  the  lawless  and 
disorderly  element  among  the  negroes  were  influenced  and  controlled 
by  white  men  of  the  meanest  and  most  degraded  type — men,  most  of 
whom  had  been  traitors  during  the  war  and  had  played  false  to  both 
sides  until,  in  this  upheaval  of  society,  they  rose  like  scum  to  the 
surface.  He  became  conspicuous  in  the  work  of  the  Ku-Klux-Klan 
and  a  reward  was  offered  for  him,  dead  or  alive.  He  eluded  those 
who  were  seeking  the  reward  and  went  to  Central  America  in  1867. 

In  1868,  the  situation  in  the  South  having  somewhat  improved,  he 
returned  to  this  country,  visited  his  old  battle-grounds  in  Loudoun 
and  Clarke  Counties,  Virginia;  then  went  West,  and  finally  located 
in  Texas.  In  1875  he  enlisted  in  the  Frontier  Battalion  of  Texas 
Rangers.  He  served  with  such  distinction  that  he  was  made  First 
Sergeant,  and  for  five  years  held  a  commission  as  First  Lieutenant 
and  Captain.  For  the  first  three  years  they  were  fighting  Indians, 
and  after  stopping  the  Indian  raids  they  were  given  civil  authority 
and  set  to  hunting  criminals.  He  resigned  in  1882,  and  was  .elected 
Sheriff  of  Wheeler  and  twelve  attached  counties.  This  office  he  held 
for  eight  years  and  then  moved  to  Hemphill  County,  where  he  had 
already  established  a  ranch,  and,  having  married  in  1883,  he  thought 
to  retire  from  public  life  and  devote  himself  entirely  to  his  family, 
his  ranch,  and  his  stock. 

In  1896,  the  sheriff  of  his  county  was  killed  by  train  robbers  and 
he  was  again  called  upon  to  take  the  position.  After  serving  out 
nearly  two  years  of  the  sheriff's  term,  he  again  retired  to  his  ranch, 
where  he  is  now  enjoying  the  quiet  and  comfort  of  home  life. 


"ZOO'— FRANK  GESCHKY.     (Frank  Johnson.) 

Lieut.  W.  B.  Palmer,  in  sending  me  his  picture,  says: 

"Here  is  a  picture  of  old  'Zoo,1  taken  when  he  was  out  at  the 
'Soldiers'  Home,'  Richmond.  They  all  liked  the  old  fellow.  He  was 
the  messenger  for  the  Commander  until  his  death,  and  when  he 
died  and  was  buried  I  went  to  his  funeral,  and  so  did  all  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  the  Home." 

Col.  Mosby,  in  a  letter  written  from  San  Francisco,  referring  to 
some  pictures  sent  him,  says: 

"I  recognize  'Zoo.'  I  captured  him  with  a  long  wagon  train  in 
Fairfax,  in  August,  1863.  He  wore  a  Zouave  cap  and  hence  my  men 
called  him  'Zoo.'  Another,  Billy-Filly,  was  'Little  Yankee.'  Ames 
was  'Big  Yankee.'  Zoo  is  a  Prussian.  He  was  driving  a  wagon  in 
the  train.  I  rode  up  to  him  and  said  'Halt.'  Zoo  gave  me  a  military 
salute  and  responded:  'Halt,  it  is.'  I  then  said:  'Unhitch  your 


APPENDIX. 


501 


mules.'     Zoo  responded,  'Unhitch  it  is,'  and  suited  the  action  to  the 
word.     I  did  not  have  a  more  faithful  follower." 

I    have    now    before    me    a    letter    from 
"Zoo,"  which  I  give  without  alteration: 

"Bristow,  Prince  William  County,  Va. 

January  16,  1902. 
MRS.  P.  A.  FRANKLIN: 

DEAR  MADAM  :  I  received  your  letter  an 
was  glad  to  hear  that  you  had  gotten  the 
box.  Dear  Madam  I  recievet  a  letter  from 
the  Soldger  Home  of  Richmond  gisterday 
Jry  I5th,  and  it  stated  that  I  hav  to  kom  tho 
Richmond  by  the  28  of  Jannuary.  my  apli- 
cation  is  exseptet.  Madam,  i  will  writh  to 
you  an  Capt  wen  i  gith  ther.  Dear  Madam 
will  you  be  so  kaind  and  tell  the  Captain  to 
pleas  send  me  a  littel  Monny  to  by  me  a 
ticket  on  the  Tran  to  Richmond,  giv  my 
best  wishes  to  Capt  &  your  2  Sons  and  kip 
the  gretter  part  four  yourself. 
Respeckfully 

JOHNSON  FRANK  GESCHKY, 

ZOO. 


In  explanation  of  the  above:  The  "box" 
mentioned  contained  a  turkey,  sent  about 
the  holiday  season  to  Mrs.  Franklin.  Cap 
tain  Franklin  had  been  in  the  habit  of  send 
ing  him  money,  and  on  receipt  of  this  letter, 
sent  him  some  money  and  a  railroad  ticket 
to  Richmond. 


FRANK  GESCHKY 

("ZOO") 
Artillery  Co. 


FRONT  ROYAL  AFFAIR 

These  letters  will  be  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  account 
given  on  pages  239,  240  and  241. 

Worcester,  Mass.,  March  3,  1902. 
To  the  POSTMASTER  at  Front  Royal,  Va. : 

DEAR  SIR:  On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Fisher's  Hill,  or  on  the  day 
after  the  battle,  there  were  several  Confederate  soldiers  shot  in  a  field 
near  the  town,  and  two  were  hanged  on  a  tree  between  the  town  and 
the  river.  Can  you  give  me  the  names  of  the  two  men  who  were 
hung? 

The  Union  forces  went  up  to  a  point  called  Milford,  I  think,  to 


502  MOSBY'S    RANGERS. 

get  through  the  mountains,  under  Gen.  Torbert,  but,  not  succeeding, 
turned  back  to  rejoin  Sheridan  at  Fisher's  Hill.  Several  Union 
soldiers  were  found  killed,  who  had  lost  their  horses  and  loitered  in 
the  rear.  Several  of  Mosby's  Men  were  caught,  or  supposed  to  be 
such,  and  were  shot  and  two  hanged  in  retaliation.  Can  you  tell  me 
their  names,  and  if  they  have  relatives  living,  and  if  so,  where? 

Respectfully, 

S.  C.  WILLIS. 

Front  Royal,  March  17,  1902. 
S.  C.  WILLIS,  Worcester,  Mass. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  March  3,  1902,  addressed  to  the  Post 
master  at  Front  Royal,  Va.,  is  handed  me  for  reply,  and  in  response 
I  have  to  state  that  on  September  23,  1864,  there  were  four  of  Mosby's 
Men  shot  to  death  after  having  surrendered,  and  two  others  hanged 
on  a  tree  between  the  town  and  the  Shenandoah  river,  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  the  town.  The  names  of  the  men  hanged, 
as  to  whom  you  especially  ask,  are,  viz.:  one  Carter,  whose  Christian 
name  or  place  of  residence  has  never  been  ascertained.  The  other, 
William  Thomas  Overby,  of  the  State  of  Georgia,  has  a  married  sister 
living  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Rosa  O.  Christian,  Palmetto,  Georgia. 

Respectfully, 

H.  L.  COOK. 

P.  S. — I  would  be  glad  to  know  what  prompted  your  inquiry  as 
to  the  two  of  Mosby's  Men  hanged  here?  H.  L.  C. 


Worcester,  Mass.,  March  27,  1902. 
H.  L.  COOK,  Front  Royal,  Va.: 

DEAR  SIR:  Many  thanks  for  your  most  interesting  letter  of  I7th 
inst.  If  you  will  excuse  me  for  writing  of  myself,  will  try  and  explain 
my  interest  in  the  Confederate  soldiers  hanged  in  Front  Royal,  Sept. 
23rd,  1864.  I  was  a  Sergeant  in  the  First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  then 
a  small  regiment  of  about  250  men.  We  were  the  escort  of  Gen. 
Torbert,  moving  back  from  a  place  called  Milford  that  morning. 
Some  command  found  some  of  our  men  with  their  throats  cut,  and 
soon  after  captured  some  of  Mosby's  Men.  Being  questioned  by 
Torbert,  and  being  satisfied  that  they  were  from  Mosby's  command, 
he  ordered  them  sliot  then  and  there.  At  the  very  time  these  men 
were  being  shot,  two  more  were  brought  in,  one  a  stout  man,  the 
other  a  small  man.  They  saw  their  comrades  lying  on  or  in  the 
field.  Torbert  told  these  men,  if  they  would  tell  him  the  location  of 
the  camp  of  Mosby,  they  would  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war,  if  not, 
they  would  be  shot.  They  said — the  big  man  being  spokesman — "We 
cannot  tell  that."  Torbert  seemed  much  vexed  at  the  answer,  and, 
in  the  excitement,  said  to  the  Provost  Marshall,  "Take  those  men  up 
to  that  tree  and  hang  them."  As  I  was  of  the  non-commissioned 
staff  of  my  regiment,  my  colonel  said  to  me — "Go  up  and  witness 


APPENDIX.  503 

that,  and  see  if  they  do  not  recant."  I  went  up  to  the  knoll,  and 
when  their  hands  were  tied  behind  them,  they  were  asked  if  they 
would  give  the  location  of  Mosby's  camp,  and  they  said,  "We  cannot 
do  it."  The  small  man,  when  the  rope  was  adjusted  about  his  neck, 
asked  for  time  to  pray,  and  the  Captain,  executing  the  order  of  Tor- 
bert,  said,  "Yes,  but  you  must  hurry  up."  A  minute  or  two  was  given 
them,  when  they  were  drawn  up  and  there  perished. 

You  ask  for  the  knowledge  of  my  interest  in  these  two  men. 
Well,  it  is  this:  Those  men  should  never  have  been  hung  for  not 
betraying  their  Commander;  they  should  have  been  protected  from 
this  cruelty  of  hanging;  they  should  have  been  kept  from  harm  for 
their  heroic  bravery.  And  thinking  that  perhaps  no  people  of  theirs 
might  know  why  they  were  hanged,  and  not  shot,  I  took  this  way  to 
let  them  know  I  think  the  order  of  Gen.  Torbert  was  unwise,  narrow 
and  cruel  in  the  extreme:  killing  one  man  because  another  has  been 
killed,  is  not  Christian  or  wise,  unless  at  least  you  have  the  man  who 
did  the  killing.  I  was  commissioned  and  took  command  of  my  com 
pany  for  meritorious  conduct  in  battle,  but  I  am  ashamed  of  this  act 
of  Torbert's.  Brave  men  win  the  respect  of  brave  men,  though  they 
are  against  us,  and,  in  my  opinion,  Overby  and  Carter  rank  in  nobility 
of  courage  and  patriotism  with  our  Nathan  Hale,  who  grieved  that 
he  had  but  one  life  to  give  for  his  country.  I  now  am,  and  ever  will 
be,  a  Union  man;  I  think  the  South  was  wrong  and  insanely  mad  in 
trying  to  break  up  the  government,  but  patriots  are  wrong  some 
times;  brave  men  are  out  of  order  often.  This  deed  was  wrong  on 
our  side,  and  how  I  would  have  stopped  it  if  I  could. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  C.  WILLIS. 


THE  FIGHT  AT  HAMILTON. 
Extract  from  a  letter  of  Robert  Chew  to  an  old  comrade. 

"The  command  moved  from  Lincoln  down  the  old  railroad  grade, 
thence  across  fields  and  took  position  in  a  strip  of  open  woods  on 
Lincoln  and  Hamilton  road,  Captain  Glascock  in  command.  We  had 
just  moved  into  the  woods  when  we  heard  the  Yankees  coming. 
Roberson  rode  to  the  side  of  Co.  D;  Charlie  Dear  and  I  being  in 
front,  turned  our  horses  facing  D  Company.  Our  object  was  to  hold 
the  men,  but  they  did  not  waver. 

Charles  Wiltshire  with  one  or  two  men  dashed  by  closely  followed 
by  a  few  Yankees.  The  Yankees  drew  up  and  made  back.  After  they 
had  passed  us  Wiltshire  turned  like  lightning  and  killed  the  man  in 
advance.  Glascock  gave  the  order  to  charge.  I  charged.  Wiltshire 
was  in  advance;  I  saw  no  one  but  him  in  advance  of  me.  We  struck 
the  enemy  in  the  road  just  before  they  reached  the  open  woods,  and 
right  there  was  a  jam.  When  they  began  to  move  back  and  our  men 
pushing  in,  I  noticed  Wiltshire  striking  a  Yankee  with  a  sabre. 


504  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Wiltshire's  horse  reared  and  putting  his  forefeet  on  the  rump  of  a 
Yankee  horse,  walked  on  his  hind  feet  and  seemingly  enjoyed  the 
part  he  took  with  his  master  in  the  fight. 

At  the  next  bend  in  the  road  there  was  another  jam.  At  this 
point  I  saw  my  brother  John  pushing  through  the  jam  and  tried  to 
overhaul  him  but  failed,  and  did  not  again  see  him  until  after  he  was 
shot.  Gabe  Braden  and  I  tried  to  lift  him  to  a  horse,  but  could  not. 
Our  men  were  falling  back.  John  told  us  to  drag  him  to  a  fence 
corner,  which  we  did.  He  was  shot  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the 
infantry.  But  few  of  our  men  passed  this  point  that  I  can  recall — 
Wiltshire,  Braden,  Keith,  Orrick,  the  two  Vandeventers,  Welt 
Hatcher  and  McGinnis.  Keith  was  killed  beyond  where  John  was 
wounded.  Charles  Wiltshire  struck  me  that  day,  the  first  and  only 
time  I  ever  saw  him  in  action,  as  a  grand  soldier  and  horseman.  I 
have  given  you  plain  facts  as  I  saw  it." 

THE  WOUNDING   OF   LIEUT.   CHARLES   E.   GROGAN. 

On  the  2Oth  of  December,  1864,  a  force  of  1,000  cavalry,  under 
Lieut. -Col.  Clendenin,  comprising  detachments  of  400  men  of  the 
Eighth  Illinois,  300  Sixteenth  New  York  and  300  Thirteenth  New 
York,  were  sent  from  Fairfax  Court  House  to  cooperate  with  two 
divisions  sent  by  Sheridan,  through  Chester  Gap,  to  capture  some 
herds  of  cattle  that  were  being  collected  by  agents  of  the  Con 
federate  government.  The  best  mounted  men  from  the  several 
regiments  were  selected  for  this  service.  On  arriving  at  Aldie  the 
command  separated,  and,  taking  different  routes,  again  united  at  Salem. 

Lieut.  Grogan,  with  a  little  party  of  Mosby's  Men,  had  been  out 
all  night  tracking  the  Eighth  Illinois,  and  in  the  morning,  seeing  their 
course  led  in  the  direction  of  Fairfax,  concluded  they  were  returning 
to  camp,  and  Grogan  disbanded  his  party.  With  Billings  Steele  he 
stopped  at  Kinloch,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Edward  Turner,  near  the 
Plains,  in  Fauquier  County. 

While  seated  in  the  parlor  waiting  for  breakfast,  in  company  with 
the  young  ladies,  one  of  the  house  servants  threw  open  the  door  and 
said  "The  Y7ankees  are  surrounding  the  house."  In  the  falling  snow 
they  had  got  on  the  trail  of  Grogan  and  Steele.  The  Federals  had 
opened  the  front  door  opening  into  the  hall  and  were  being  held  back 
somewhat  by  the  colored  girl.  Grogan  jumped  for  his  pistols,  which 
he  had  thrown  off  with  his  belt  in  the  hall  before  going  into  the 
presence  of  the  young  ladies,  and  he  and  Steele  retreated  back  to  the 
parlor  and  jumped  out  through  the  back  window,  and  right  into 
the  midst  of  their  enemies.  Steele,  being  unarmed,  surrendered,  but 
Grogan  refused,  preferring  to  take  the  chance  of  death  in  battle 
rather  than  the  certainty  of  prison  life,  remembering  the  hardships 
he  had  endured  while  imprisoned  at  Johnson's  Island,  and  from  which 
he  had  once  escaped.  He  did  not  stop  to  consider  the  unequal  con 
test  he  was  about  to  engage  in,  but  at  once  opened  fire  and  discharged 


APPENDIX. 


505 


four  or  five  loads  before  turning  the  corner  of  the  house  in  an  effort 
to  get  to  his  horse  in  the  stable.  He  was  shot  down  and  almost 
trampled  to  death  by  the  enemy's  horses,  being  entirely  prostrated. 

But  a  short  time  previous  to  this  seven  of  Sheridan's  men  had 
been  executed  by  Mosby's  orders  in  retaliation  for  the  men  of  our 
command  murdered  at  Front  Royal,  and  Grogan  then  believed 
that  he  was  about  the  first  of 
Mosby's  Men  captured  after 
that  unpleasant  incident,  so  he 
was  somewhat  uncertain  as  to 
what  his  fate  would  be.  But 
when  he  was  asked  as  to  his 
command,  he  frankly  owned  up 
that  he  was  Lieutenant  of  Com 
pany  D,  Mosby's  Command. 
True  courage  and  honesty  is 
always  recognized  and  admired 
by  brave  men,  so  in  this  case 
it  won  him  sympathy  and  kind 
treatment.  He  was  taken  to 
the  office  building  (so  common 
with  such  estates  as  Kinloch) 
and  Dr.  Nelson,  the  surgeon  of 
the  Eighth  Illinois,  examined 
and  dressed  the  wound  hur 
riedly,  and  making  him  as  com 
fortable  as  possible  left,  at  the 
same  time  expressing  regret 
that  he  could  not  amputate  the 
limb,  and  advising  him  that  as 
soon  as  he  could  get  a  surgeon  he  should  have  the  leg  taken  off. 
The  ambulance,  that  was  at  the  door  ready  to  transport  him  to 
Washington,  was  ordered  away,  as  he  was  then  thought  to  be  per 
manently  disabled. 

When  Dr.  Monteiro,  of  Mosby's  Command,  visited  him  later  he 
found  him  in  a  very  unpromising  condition.  Both  bones  of  the  right 
leg  were  broken.  He  examined  the  fracture,  removed  the  fragments 
of  broken  bone  which  the  Federal  surgeon  had  failed  to  remove  and 
which  were  causing  him  much  irritation.  For  some  months  he  was 
compelled  to  use  crutches;  but  he  has  since  said  to  me: — "Williamson, 
if  you  ever  come  across  that  Yankee  surgeon,  give  him  my  kindest 
regards  and  tell  him  how  thankful  I  am  that  he  did  not  have  time  that 
day  at  Kinloch  to  take  my  leg  off;  that  it  has  done  me  great  service 
since  then,  and  it  is  a  better  leg  now  than  any  one  I  could  buy  to 
replace  it." 

Billings  Steele  was  taken  to  Washington  and  was  not  liberated 
from  prison  until  after  the  war.  He  died  some  years  after  at 
Annapolis,  Md. 


JOHN  DUNNING,  CO.  D. 

From  picture  taken  in  Winchester,  Va.,  just 

after  being  paroled. 


506  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 


WAR  SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


'What  though  no  sculptured  shaft 

Commemorate  our  brave? 
What  though  no  monument  epitaphed 
Be  built  above  their  grave? 

'When  marble  wears  away. 

And  monuments  are  dust, 
The  Songs  that  guard  our  soldiers'  clay 

Will  still  fulfill  their  trust." 

— REV.  A.  J.  RYAN. 


MARYLAND  LINE  CAMP  SONG. 

We're  the  boys  so  gay  and  happy, 

Whereso'er  we  chance  to  be — 
If  at  home  or  on  camp  duty, 

'Tis  the  same — we're  always  free. 

So,  let  the  guns  roar  as  the>  will, 
We'll  be  gay  and  happy  still; 
Gay  and  happy — gay  and  happy, 
We'll  be  gay  and  happy  still. 

We've  left  our  homes  and  those  we  cherish, 

In  our  good  old  Maryland; 
Rather  than  wear  chains  we'll  perish 

Side  by  side  and  hand  in  hand. 

So,  let  the  guns  roar,  etc.  . 

Old  Virginia  needs  assistance, 
Northern  hosts  invade   her   soil; 

We'll  present  a  firm  resistance, 
Courting  danger,  fire,  and  toil. 

So,  let  the  guns  roar,  etc. 

Then  let  drums  and  muskets  rattle, 

Fearless  as  our  sires  of  yore, 
We'll  not  leave  the  field  of  battle 

'Till  we've  ransomed  Baltimore. 

So,  let  the  guns  roar,  etc. 


APPENDIX. 


SO/ 


/ 


HENRY  H.  HARRISON,  COMPANY  B. 

In  reply  to  my  inquiry  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Harrison, 
dated  Black  Point,  Florida,  August  29,  1908,  saying: 

"I  am  a  survivor  of  Company 
B,  Mosby's  Battalion;  I  served  a 
short  time  only  and  knew  but 
few  of  the  men  personally.  I 
was  born  at  Carter  Hall,  near 
Millwood,  Clarke  Co.,  Va.,  May 
12,  1848.  My  grandfather's  Is 
land  Farm,  in  the  Shenandoah 
River,  was  a  great  resort  of  / 
Mosby's  Men,  who  usually  crossed  I 
the  river  at  Berry's  Ferry  or  at 
Morgan's  Ford. 

"In  the  fight  with  Colonel 
Reno's  Twelfth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry  near  Hamilton,  my  horse 
was  shot  and  had  its  right  fore 
leg  broken. 

Somebody  gave  me  Captain 
Manning's  horse  to  ride,  but 
when  we  passed  through  Hamil 
ton  on  the  22d  the  horse  was 
called  for.  I  got  my  horse  into 
the  widow  Rogers'  stable  and 
swung  it  up  in  chains  to  try  to  save  it,  then  started  on  foot  and 
alone  for  Paris.  On  the  way  I  met  the  Yankee  column  and  was  sur 
rounded  by  the  mounted  men  and  captured.  I  was  held  a  prisoner 
of  war  at  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore,  until  June  9,  1865,  when  we 
were  all  released. 

"After  the  war  I  went  to  the  University  of  Virginia;  traveled  in 
Europe;  served  in  the  Liberating  Army  of  Cuba,  as  a  captain  of 
cavalry  in  the  Brigade  of  Puerto  Principe,  in  the  ten  years'  war; 
came  back  to  Virginia;  farmed,  and  served  in  the  Legislature.  It  was 
too  cold  for  me.  My  health  failed,  and  in  1887  I  had  to  leave  Virginia 
and  move  to  South  Florida." 


HENRY  H.  HARRISON.  CO.  B. 
From  photograph  taken  in  London,  Eng.  in 

l869> 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  MOSBY'S  MEN. 
The  Fight  with  the  12th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  at  Hamilton. 

By  HENRY  H.  HARRISON,  OF  Co.  B. 
Two  hundred  horsemen  in  the  wood, 

Waiting  to  strike  the  blow, 
While  up  the  road  the  fleet  decoys 
Have  gone  to  draw  the  foe. 


508  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

A  rattling  fire,  a  rush  of  hoofs, 
That  sweep  by  like  the  wind, 

Eight  hundred   Yankee  sabres 
That  follow  on  behind. 

Eight  hundred  Yankee  sabres  pour 
In  torrent  down  the  hill; 

Two  hundred  horsemen  brave  and  true, 
Who  meet  them  with  a  will. 

A  rush!  a  yell!  and  from  the  wood 
They  charge  out  on  the  foe! 

A  moment — and  the  fight  is  won, 
And  back  the  Yankees  go. 

Eight  hundred  flying  Yankees 
Dash  wildly  up  the  hill; 

Two  hundred  rebels  close  behind, 
Shooting  and  yelling  still. 

For  life  or  death  their  horses 
They  urge  with  spur  and  goad. 

'Neath  rebel  blades  and  bullets 
They  fall  along  the  road. 

The  vanquished  and  the  victors 
Dash  madly  out  of  sight; 

But  dust,  and  yells,  and  pistol  shots 
Tell  of  the  flying  fight. 

All  passed  as  swiftly  as  a  dream, 
And  but  for  those  who  lay 

Trampled  and  dying  in  the  road, 
The  scene  had  passed  away. 


THE  LAST  PARADE. 

The  Disbanding  of  the  Rangers  (the  43^  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry},  at 
Salem,  in  Virginia,  after  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee. 

By  HENRY  H.  HARRISON,  OF  Co.  B. 

Hark!  o'er  the  hills  a  bugle  call!  a  bugle  henceforth  dumb! 
It  bids  us  weep  a  fallen  cause,  a  day  of  doom  to  come; 
It  tells  us  that  thy  vales,  Fauquier,  shall  never  more  resound 
With  charging  shout,  or  clashing  swords,  or  victory's  joyous   sound. 
The  land  we  love,  our  beautiful,  where  Mosby  long  held  sway, 
Has  fallen  with  the  Southern  Cross,  is  now  the  spoilers'  prey; 
And  this  is  why  through  Salem's  streets  to-day  the  Rangers  ride, 
And  this  is  why  in  every  heart  hope's  star  hath  paled  and  died. 


APPENDIX.  509 

By  every  road  the  horsemen  come,  those  boys  so  gay  and  bold, 

But  not  a  smile  is  seen  to-day,  each  face  is  stern  and  cold, 

For  many  a  heart  that  erst  beat  high  is  in  the  dust  to-day, 

And  many  a  cheek  is  wet  with  tears  at  doffing  of  the  gray. 

In  bitter  words  their  woe  breaks  forth,  and  shakes  the  manly  form 

That  never  feared  to  meet  the   foe,  nor  quailed   'mid   battles'  storm; 

The  Legion  knows  its  hour  has  come,  its  saddest  and  its  last; 

For,  like  the  starry  cross,  'twill  soon  be  numbered  with  the  past. 

The  bugle  sounds,  the  ranks  are  formed;  once  more  we're  side  by  side, 
On  prancing  steeds,  with  arms  as  bright  as  when  we  rode  in  pride. 
And  o'er  our  heads  our  banner  waves,  blood-stained  and  battle  torn, 
Which  through  these  years  of  glorious  war  to  vict'ry  oft  we've  borne. 
All  Nature  wears  a  saddened  face;  dark  clouds  droop  like  a  pall; 
And  overhead  a  murky  sky  hangs  lowering  over  all. 
The  mutterings  of  the  passing  storm   still  lingers  on  our  ear; 
Around  us  gloom  and  chilling  air — our  hearts  are  still  more  drear. 

Ah!  land  of  woe!  would  that  the  sword  which  often  waved  for  thee 
Had  laid  us  low  ere  such  a  sight  as  this  mine  eyes  should  see. 
Be  still,  my  soul,  right  never  dies,  many  brave  hearts  remain, 
Who  .in  the  time  to  come  may  prove  the  dead  died  not  in  vain. 
Now  see  along  the  silent  ranks  our  gallant  leader  ride 
The  victor  on  a  hundred  fields,  who  sooner,  far,  had  died. 
He  gazes  long  upon  his  band,  each  well-known  face  he  seeks, 
Then  dashing  off  the  unbid  tear,  the  dauntless  chieftain  speaks: 

"Men  of  the  Ranger  Legion,  who,  through  these  years  of  blood, 

'Midst  death  and  desolation,  firm  at  my  side  have  stood, 

Once  more  we  meet  together;  but  not  to  seek  the  foe; 

In  grief  I   call  you  hither — to  lay  your   standards  low. 

The  vision  we  have  cherished  of  a  Southland  great  and  free, 

Has  passed  before  the  frown  of  fate,  our  Nation  may  not  be. 

The  battleborn  republic  in  blood  hath  passed  away. 

This  land  for  which  you  fought  and  bled,  is  now  the  spoiler's  prey. 

"Were  every  heart  as  stout  as  yours  and  every  sword  as  keen, 
The  day  to  lower  the   Southern  flag  had  not  yet  come,  I   ween; 
The  armies  in  the  field  are  gone,  but  from  each  wood  and  hill 
A  thousand  bands,  as  bold  as  ours,  could  hold  the  country  still. 
If  Francis  Marion  lived  to-day  the  South  might  still  be  free; 
Better  to  die  with  sword  in  hand  than  live  in  slavery. 
Our  old  men  will  it  otherwise,  war's  wounds  they  seek  to  cure; 
To-day  we  sheathe  our  useless  swords,  the  brave  may  war  no  more. 


5IO  MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 

"Unconquered,  but  forsaken,  our  standards  only  wave 

O'er  what  was  once  our  Nation,  but  now  our  Nation's  grave. 

The  foemen   gather  round  us,  we,  we   alone   are  left 

Of  all  that  was  the  Southern  host;  all,  all  the  rest  are  reft. 

I  never  will  surrender  this  Legion  I  have  made 

To  those  whom  we  have  always  chased;  it  never  shall  be  said. 

But  mortal  man  can  do  no  more,  e'en  freedom  to  retain, 

The  Forty-third  Virginia  will  never  meet  again." 

He  ceased;  nor  from  that  long  array  was  heard  a  voice  or  sound, 

Silent  it  hears  the  fatal  words,  the  horses  paw  the  ground. 

A  moment,  and  the  ranks  dissolve,  and  round  their  chief  they  close, 

Like  little  children  weep  the  men  who  feared  not  mortal  foes. 

A  grasp  for  each,  a  word  for  all,  at  last  he  turns  aside; 

Forth  to  the  unknown  future,  the  young  Virginians  ride. 

But  ever  on  the  roll  of  those  who  struggle  to  be  free 

Shall  live  their  names  who  never  rode  except  to  victory. 


MOSBY. 
By  II.  C.  BLANCHARD,  Co.  D. 

There's  a  rebel  guerrilla,  one  Mosby  by  name, 
To  catch  U.  S.  horses  his  principal  aim; 
He  proves  quite  a  terror  to  his  keenest  foe, 
By  bagging  their  pickets,  as  many  do  know. 

On  one  occasion  brave  Wyndham  went  out, 
To  catch  Mosby's  band  he  took  a  long  scout; 
He  marched  up  to  Warrenton,  there  made  a  halt; 
He  could  not  find  Mosby,  but  'twas  not  his  fault. 

He  opened  the  stores  and  every  hotel, 
And  faithfully  searched  to  find  the  old  fel'; 
But  much  to  the  Colonel's  regret,  could  not  find 
The  plague  and  the  terror  of  his  picket  line. 

They  made  in  the  town  but  a  short  sojourn, 
Then,  mounting  their  horses,  prepared  to  return, 
Each  man  was  so  loaded  he  could  carry  no  more 
With  the  goods  they  had  honestly  found  in  the  store. 

As  the  brave  little  army  marched  back  down  the  road, 
Their  horses  exhausted  quite  by  their  large  load, 
Mosby,  unthought  of,  turned  up  pretty  near, 
And  made  the  acquaintance  of  those  in  the  rear. 


APPENDIX.  511 

The  Colonel  was  now  so  enraged  at  his  fate, 
That  he   swore   upon   citizens  he'd  retaliate; 
But  this  did  no  good,  for  Mosby  could  come 
And  get  their  fine  horses  and  carry  them  home. 

There  is  one  other  circumstance   I  will  cite — 
He  went  into  Fairfax  at  a  late  hour  of  night, 
But  we  who  are  true  to  the  Union  won't  laugh, 
For  he  picked  up  a  General  and  all  of  his  staff. 

The  General-in-chief  said  this  never  would  do, 
That  it  must  be  stopped,  and  ordered  it,  too; 
He  chose  a  wise  course,  you'll  all  say,   I'll  be  bound — 
He  arrested  the  farmers  for  ten  miles  around. 

But  I'm  afraid,  after  all,  they  have  not  yet  found, 
The  farmers  who  pilot  -this   Mosby  around. 
For  since   they've  been   arrested,  the  papers   explain, 
That  Mosby  has  paid  us  a  visit  again. 

At  Herndon  station  a  few  nights  ago, 
A  Major  was  placing  his  pickets,  when  lo! 
Mosby  came  rushing  up  with  a  small  squad, 
And  captured  the  Major  and  all  of  his  guard. 

Now  I  ask  one  and  all  if  this  is  not  rough, 

It's  a  disgrace  to  our  army;  it  has  gone  far  enough; 

To  hang  this  vile  Mosby  I  think  that  we  ought, 

But  I  believe  that  the  hanging  comes  after  the  caught. 


MOSBY'S  LAST  RAID  INTO  LOUDOUN. 

By  H.  C.  BLANCHARD,  Co.  D. 

Colonel  Mosby's  last  order  I'm  glad  to  relate, 
A  tenth  of  the  grain  from  the   Quakers  to  take; 
And   for  the   same  purpose  his  battalion  he  brought, 
And  all  over  Loudoun  corn  and  bacon   he  sought. 

CHORUS:    Oh,   Colonel    Mosby;   Oh,   Colonel   Mosby,   the 

Quakers'  hard  fate 
Is   pretty  hard   to   relate. 

The  Yankees  they  thought  to  block  this  bold  game, 
So  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  to  Harmony  came: 
But  in  spite  of  the  Yankees  and  all  their  bombast, 
Colonel  Mosby  will  get  his  provisions  at  last. 

CHORUS — As  above.  . 


512  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

The  Yankees  they  thought  to  draw  the  Rebs.  out, 
But  in  making  the  effort  many  went  up  the  spout, — 
The  infantry  ran  and  the  cavalry  broke, 
And  they  found  fighting  Mosby  was  not  all  a  joke. 

CHORUS — As  above. 

We  followed  them  next  day  until  the  sun  set, 
And  still  on  the  morrow  we  followed  them  yet; 
But  seeing  that  fighting  'gainst  Mosby  was  vain, 
They  all  crossed  over  the  river  again. 

CHORUS — As  above. 

I'm  sorry  to  say  that  some  ten  or  fifteen 
Of  this  noble  battalion  at  Pusey's  were  seen; 
They  broke  up  the  dishes  and  kicked  up  a  fuss, 
And  got  themselves  into  a  terrible  muss. 

CHORUS:   Oh,  Mr.  Pusey;    Oh,  Mr.   Pusey,  indeed   I  am 

sad 
You've  been  treated  so  bad. 

Some  of  the  party  left  very  soon; 
Some  went  off  later  and  each  brought  a  spoon; 
And  one,  not  contented  with  what  he  had  got, 
Went  back  for  the  urn  and  a  new  coffee  pot. 

CHORUS:  Oh,  Mr.  Pusey,  etc. 

One  of  the  party  to  Leesburg  then  went; 
Two  of  the  battalion  to  arrest  him  were  sent. 
They  took  him  to  Harmony,  the  Colonel  to  see, 
And  Mosby  decided  to  let  him  go  free. 

CHORUS:  Bully  for  Hipkins!  Bully  for  Hipkins! 
To  our  great  delight 
He's  found  out  all  right. 

Comrades,  in  future,  when  to  Loudoun  you're  brought, 
You  must  try  and  behave  yourselves   as  you  ought, 
And  also  in  future  you  must  ever  beware 
Of  visiting  Pusey  and  flanking  his  ware. 

CHORUS:  Oh,  Mr.  Pusey,  etc. 


APPENDIX.  513 

MOSBY  AT  HAMILTON. 

By  MADISON  CAWEIN 
Down  Loudoun  lanes,  with  swinging  reins 

And  clash  of  spur  and  sabre, 
And  bugling  of  battle  horn, 
Six  score  and  eight  we  rode  at  morn, 
Six  score  and  eight  of  Southern  born, 
All  tried  in  love  and  labor. 

Full  in  the  sun  at  Hamilton, 

We  met  the  South's  invaders; 
Who,  over  fifteen  hundred  strong, 
'Mid  blazing  homes  had  marched  along 
All  night,  with  Northern  shout  and  song, 

To  crush  the  rebel  raiders. 

Down  Loudoun  lanes  with  streaming  manes 

We  spurred  in  wild  March  weather; 
And  all  along  our  war-scarred  way 
The  graves  of  Southern  heroes  lay, 
Our  guide  posts  to  revenge  that  day, 

As  we  rode  grim  together. 

Old   tales   still   tell    some    miracle 

Of  saints  in  holy  writing — 
But  who  shall  say  why  hundreds  fled 
Before  the  few  that  Mosby  led, 
Unless  the  noblest  of  our  dead 

Charged  with  us   then  when  fighting? 

While   Yankee  cheers   still   stunned   our  ears, 

Of  troops  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
While  Sheridan  led  on  his  Huns, 
And  Richmond  rocked  to  roaring  guns, 
We  felt  the  South  still  had  some  sons, 

She  would  not  scorn  to  bury. 


MY  MARYLAND. 
By  JAMES  R.  RANDALL. 
The  despot's  heel  is  on  thy  shore, 

Maryland! 
His  torch  is  at  thy  temple  door, 

Maryland! 

Avenge  the  patriotic  gore 
That  flecked  the  streets  of  Baltimore, 
And  be  the  battle-queen  of  yore, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 


514  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Hark  to  an  exiled  son's   appeal, 

Maryland! 
My  Mother-State,  to  thee  I  kneel! 

Maryland! 

For  life  and  death,  for  woe  and  weal, 
Thy  peerless  chivalry  reveal, 
And  gird  thy  beauteous  limbs  with  steel, 
Maryland!     My  Maryland! 

Thou  wilt  not  cower  in  the  dust, 

Maryland! 
Thy  beaming  sword  shall  never  rust, 

Maryland! 

Remember  Carroll's  sacred  trust, 
Remember  Howard's  warlike  thrust 
And  all  thy  slumberers  with  the  just, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 

Come!     'Tis  the  red  dawn  of  the   day, 

Maryland! 
Come  with  thy  panoplied  array, 

Maryland! 

With  Ringgold's  spirit  for  the  fray, 
With  Watson's  blood  at  Monterey, 
With  fearless  Lowe  and  dashing  May, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 

Dear  Mother,  burst  the  tyrant's  chain, 

Maryland! 
Virginia  should  not  call  in  vain, 

Maryland! 

She  meets  her  sisters  on  the  plain, 
Sic  Semper!     'Tis  the  proud  refrain 
That  baffles  minions  back  amain, 

Maryland! 
Arise,  in  majesty  again, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 

Come,  for  thy  shield  is  bright  and  strong, 

Maryland! 

Come,  for  thy  dalliance  does  thee  wrong, 

Maryland! 

Come   to   thine  own  heroic  throng, 

Stalking  with  liberty  along, 

And  chant  thy  dauntless  slogan-song, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland? 


APPENDIX. 

I  see  the  blush  upon  thy  cheek, 

Maryland! 
For  thou  wast  ever  bravely  meek, 

Maryland! 

But  lo!  there  surges  forth  a  shriek; 
From  hill  to  hill,  from  creek  to  creek, 
Potomac  calls  to  Chesapeake, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 

Thou  wilt  not  yield  the  Vandal  toll, 

Maryland! 

Thou  wilt  not  crook  to  his  control, 

Maryland! 

Better  the  fire  upon  thee  roll, 

Better  the  shot,  the  blade,  the  bowl, 

Than  crucifixion  of  the  soul, 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 

I  hear  the  distant  thunder-hum, 

Maryland! 
The  Old  Line  bugle,  fife  and  drum, 

Maryland! 

She  is  not  dead,  nor  deaf,  nor  dumb! 
Huzza!     She   spurns   the   Northern  scum! 
She  breathes!     She  burns!     She'll  come! 
She'll  come! 

Maryland!     My  Maryland! 


515 


THE  ORIGINAL  "DIXIE." 

I  wish  I  was  in  de  land  of  cotton, 
Old  times  dar  am  not  forgotten; 

Look  away,  look  away,  look   away,  Dixie  Land. 
In  Dixie  Land,  whar  I  was  born  in, 
Early  on  one  frosty  mornin', 

Look  away,  look  away,  look  away,  Dixie  Land. 

Den  I  wish  I  was  in  Dixie, 

Hooray,   hooray. 

In  Dixie  Land  I'll  took  my  stand, 

To  lib  an'  die  in  Dixie; 

Away,  away,  away  down  South  in  Dixie; 

Away,  away,  away  down   South  in  Dixie. 


5i6  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Old  missus  marry  "Will  de  weaber," 
William  was  a  gay  deceaber, 

Look  away,  etc. 

But  when  he  put  his  arm  around  'er, 
He  smiled  as  fierce  as  a  forty-pounder, 

Look  away,  etc. 
Den  I  wish  I  was  in  Dixie,  etc. 

His  face  was  sharp  as  a  butcher's  cleaber, 
But  dat  did  not  seem  to  greab  'er, 

Look  away,  etc. 

Old  missus  acted  de  foolish  part, 
An'  died  for  de  man  dat  broke  her  heart, 

Look  away,  etc. 
Den  I  wish  I  was  in  Dixie,  etc. 

Now  here's  a  health  to  de  next  old  missus, 
An'  all  de  gals  dat  want  to  kiss  us; 

Look  away,  etc. 

But  if  you  want  to  drive  away  sorrow, 
Come  an'  hear  dis  nig'  to-morrow; 

Look  away,  etc. 
Den  I  wish  I  was  in  Dixie,  etc. 

Dar's  buckwheat  cakes  an'  Ingen  batter 
Makes  you  fat  or  a  little  fatter, 

Look  away,  etc. 

Den  hoe  it  down  and  scratch  your  grabble, 
To  Dixie's   Land  I'm  bound  to  trabble, 

Look  away,  etc. 
Den  I  wish  I  was  in  Dixie,  etc. 


THE  BONNIE  BLUE  FLAG. 

The  Southern  Confederacy's  stirring  war  song,  "The  Bonnie  Blue 
Flag,"  was  written  by  Mrs.  Annie  Chambers-Ketcham,  just  after  the 
battle  of  Shiloh  in  which  her  husband  Leonidas  Ketcham,  Adjutant 
of  the  Thirty-eighth  Tennessee,  received  his  death  wound. 

We  are  a  band  of  brothers,  native  to  the  soil, 

Fighting  for  the  property  we  gained  by  honest  toil; 

And  when  our  rights  were  threatened,  the  cry  rose  near  and  far, 

Hurrah  for  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  that  bears  a  single  star! 

CHORUS:   Hurrah!  hurrah!   for  Southern  rights,  hurrah! 

Hurrah!    for    the    Bonnie    Blue    Flag    that    bears    a 
single  star. 


APPENDIX  517 

As  long  as  the  Union  was  faithful  to  her  trust, 

Like  friends  and  like  brothers,  kind  were  we,  and  just; 

But  now,  when  Northern  treachery  attempts  our  rights  to  mar, 

We  hoist  on  high  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  that  bears  a  single  star. 

CHORUS. 

First  gallant  South  Carolina  nobly  made  the  stand, 

Then  came  Alabama,  who  took  her  by  the  hand; 

Next  quickly  Mississippi,  Georgia  and  Florida, 

All  raised  on  high  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  that  bears  a  single  star. 

CHORUS. 

Ye  men  of  valor,  gather  round  the  Banner  of  the  Right, 
Texas  and  fair  Louisiana,  join  us  in  the  fight; 
Davis,  our  loved  President,  and  Stephens,  statesman  rare, 
Now  rally  round  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  that  bears  a  single  star. 

CHORUS. 

And  here's  to  brave  Virginia,  the  old  Dominion  State, 

With  the  young  Confederacy  at  length  has  linked  her  fate. 

Impelled  by  her  example,  now  other  States  prepare 

To  hoist  on  high  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  that  bears  a  single  star. 

CHORUS. 

Then  here's  to  our  Confederacy,  strong  we  are,  and  brave, 
Like  patriots  of  old  we'll  fight,  our  heritage  to   save; 
And  rather  than  submit  to  shame,  to  die  we  would  prefer, 
So  cheer  for  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  that  bears  a  single  star. 

CHORUS. 

Then  cheer,  boys,  cheer,  raise  the  joyous  shout, 

For  Arkansas  and  North  Carolina  now  have  both  gone  out; 

And  let  another  rousing  cheer  for  Tennessee  be  given, 

The  single  star  of  the  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  has  grown  to  be  Eleven. 

CHORUS:  Hurrah!  hurrah!  for  Southern  rights  hurrah! 

Hurrah!   for   the   Bonnie   Blue   Flag  has  gained   the 
eleventh  star. 


$18  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

LORENA. 
(This  was  the  great  sentimental  song  of  the  war  period.) 

The  years  creep  slowly  by,  Lorena; 

The  snow  is   on  the   grass   again; 
The  sun's  low  down  the  sky,  Lorena; 

The  frost  gleams  where  the  flowers  have  been. 
But  the  heart  throbs  on  as  warmly  now 

As  when  the  summer  days  were  nigh; 
Oh,  the  sun  can  never  dip  so  low 

Adown  affection's  cloudless  sky. 

A  hundred  months  have  passed,  Lorena, 

Since  last  I  held  that  hand  in  mine, 
And  felt  the   pulse  beat  fast,   Lorena, 

Though  mine  beat  faster  far  than  thine. 
A   hundred  months — 'twas  flowery  May, 

When  up  the  hilly  slope  we  climbed, 
To  watch  the  dying  of  the  day 

And  hear  the  distant  church  bells  chimed. 

We  loved  each  other  then,  Lorena, 

More  than  we  ever  dared  to  tell; 
And  what  we  might  have  been,  Lorena, 

Had  but  our  loving  prospered  well! 
But  then,  'tis  past,  the  years  have  gone, 

I'll  not  call  up  their  shadowy  forms; 
I'll  say  to  them,  "Lost  years,  sleep  on, 

Sleep  on,  nor  heed  life's  pelting  storms." 

The  story  of  the  past,  Lorena, 

Alas!    I  care  not  to  repeat; 
The  hopes  that  could  not  last,  Lorena, 

They  lived,  but  only  lived  to  cheat. 
I  would  not  cause  e'en  one  regret 

To  rankle  in  your  bosom  now — 
"For  if  we  try  we  may  forget," 

Were  words  of  thine  long  years  ago. 

Yes,  these  were  words  of  thine,  Lorena — 

They  are  within  my  memory  yet — 
They  touched  some  tender  chords,  Lorena, 

Which  thrill  and  tremble  with  regret. 
'Twas  not  thy  woman's  heart  which  spoke — 

Thy  heart  was  always  true  to  me; 
A  duty  stern  and  piercing  broke 

The  tie  which  linked  my  soul  with  thee. 


APPENDIX  519 


It  matters  little  now,  Lorena, 

The  past  is  in  the  eternal  past; 
Our  hearts  will  soon  lie  low,  Lorena, 

Life's  tide  is  ebbing  out  so  fast, 
There  is  a  future,  oh,  thank  God! 

Of  life  this  is  so  small  a  part — 
'Tis  dust  to  dust  beneath  the  sod, 

But  there,  up  there,  'tis  heart  to  heart. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 

By  REV.  ABRAM  J.  RYAN 
Young  as  the  youngest  who  donned  the  gray, 

True  as  the  truest  that  wore  it — 
Brave  as  the  bravest,  he  marched  away, 
(Hot  tears  on  the  cheeks  of  his  mother  lay,) 
Triumphant  waved  our  flag  one  day, 

He  fell  in  the  front  before  it. 

Firm  as  the  firmest,  where  duty  led, 

He  hurried  without  a  falter; 
Bold  as  the  boldest  he  fought  and  bled, 
And  the  day  was  won — but  the  field  was  red, 
And  the  blood  of  his  fresh  young  heart  was  shed 

On  his  country's  hallowed  altar. 

On  the  trampled  breast  of  the  battle  plain, 
Where  the  foremost  ranks  had  wrestled, 

On  his  pale,  pure  face,  not  a  mark  of  pain, 

(His  mother  dreams  they  will  meet  again,) 

The   fairest  form  amid  all  the  slain, 
Like  a  child  asleep — he  nestled. 

In  the  solemn  shades  of  the  wood  that  swept 

The  field  where  his  comrades  found  him, 
They  buried  him  there — and  the  big  tears  crept, 
Into  strong  men's  eyes  that  had  seldom  wept, 
(His  mother — God  pity  her! — smiled  and  slept, 
Dreaming  her  arms  were  around  him.) 

A  grave  in  the  woods  with  the  grass  o'ergrown, 

A  grave  in  the   heart  of  his  mother — 
His  clay  in  the  one  lies  lifeless  and  lone; 
There  is  not  a  name,  there  is  not  a  stone — 
And  only  the  voice  of  the  winds  maketh  moan 
O'er  the  grave  where  never  a  flower  is  strewn, 
But,  his  memory  lives  in  the  other. 


520  APPENDIX. 


REUNIONS 
Of  the  Forty-third  Battalion    Virginia  Cavalry. 

Nearly  thirty  years  after  the  disbanding  of  the  Forty-third  Bat 
talion  Virginia  Cavalry  at  Old  Salem,  the  happy  thought  occurred  to 
a  few  of  the  old  members  to  have  a  reunion  of  the  surviving  remnant 
of  the  old  command.  After  arranging  some  of  the  preliminaries  the 
following  circular  was  sent  out : 

Leesburg,    Va.,  Dec.  22,   1894. 

DEAR  SIR:  There  will  be  a  Reunion  of  "  MOSBY'S  COMMAND" 
at  Alexandria,  Va.,  on  Wednesday,  January  i6th,  1895.  COLONEL 
MOSBY  and  other  officers  will  be  present,  and  we  have  assurances  of  a 
large  attendance  of  our  old  companions  in  arms.  I  ask  that  you  will 
indicate  to  me  promptly  your  determination  to  attend. 

It  is  proposed  to  celebrate  the  occasion  with  a  Banquet  at  6  p 
m.,  and  exercises  that  shall  make  it  thoroughly  enjoyable.  The  ex 
pense  of  this  is  estimated  to  be  about  $3.00  per  capita  ;  but  as  it  is 
probable  that  some  will  wish  to  be  present  who  will  not  be  able  to 
contribute  to  the  expenses,  you  are  at  liberty  to  increase  your  con 
tribution  as  you  see  proper.  We  insist,  however,  that  you  will 
not  let  your  inability  to  contribute  at  all,  deprive  us  of  the  pleasure  of 
your  presence  there. 

Remittances  may  be  sent  to  me  or  to  Mr.  John  G.  Beckham, 
Alexandria,  Va. 

Yours  truly, 

JNO.  H.  ALEXANDER. 

In  response  to  this  call  there  was  a  gathering  of  the  old  veterans 
at  Odd  Fellows  Hall,  Columbus  street,  Alexandria,  Va.,  on  the  i6th  of 
January,  1895.  Despite  the  inclement  weather,  there  were  present 
about  150  old  comrades,  among  them  many  of  the  former  officers 
of  the  Battalion. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  afternoon  it  was  decided  to  form  a 
permanent  organization  to  be  known  as  the  "  John  S.  Mosby  Camp, 
Confederate  Veterans,"  and  the  following  officers  were  selected  : 

Commander,  JOHN  S.  MOSBY. 

First  Lieutenant-Commander,  JOHN  H.  ALEXANDER. 

Second  Lieutenant-Commander,  JAMES  WM.  FOSTER. 

Third  Lieutenant-Commander.  FOUNTAIN  BEATTIE. 

Adjutant,  WILLIAM  H.  MOSBY. 

Sergeant-Major  and  Treasurer,  JOHN  G.  BECKHAM. 

Chaplain,  SAMUEL  F.  CHAPMAN. 

Surgeon,  Dr.  W.  L.  DUNN. 

Quartermaster,  GEO.  R.  L.  TURBERVILLE. 

Executive  Committee  :  J.W.HAMMOND,  B.  FRANK  CARTER,  JR., 
J.  F.  FAULKNER  and  GEO.  D.  HUNT. 

The  first  regular  meeting  was  arranged  to  be  held  on  the  second 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  521 

Wednesday  in  August,  1895,  at  Marshall,  Fauquier  Co.,  Va.  (Old 
Salem),  the  place  where  Mosby  disbanded  his  command  after  the  sur 
render  of  General  Lee. 

The  time  up  to  the  hour  set  for  the  banquet  was  spent  in  friendly 
greetings.  Old  songs  were  sung  and  little  groups  of  attentive  listen 
ers  were  entertained  with  recitals  of  stories  of  the  old  war  times, 
which  drew  forth  rounds  of  applause  or  provoked  loud  bursts  of 
laughter. 

At  the  banquet  in  the  evening  Major  A.  E.  Richards  acted  as  toast- 
master  and  introduced  the  speakers.  To  the  first  toast,  "The  Forty- 
third  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry,"  Colonel  Mosby  responded  as 
follows  : 

COMRADES  :  When,  on  April  21,  1865,  I  told  you  that  I  was  no  longer 
your  commander,  and  bade  you  what  we  then  considered  a  long  and 
and  perhaps  an  eternal  farewell,  the  most  hopeful  among 
us  could  not  reasonably  have  expected  ever  to  witness  a  scene  like 
this.  Nearly  thirty  years  have  passed  away,  and  we  meet  once  more 
on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  and  in  sight  of  the  Capitol,  not  in  hostile 
array,  but  as  citizens  of  a  great  and  united  country.  Gun-boats 
no  longer  patrol  the  river — there  are  no  picket  guards  on  its  banks  to 
challenge  our  crossing.  Your  presence  here  this  evening  recalls  our 
last  parting.  I  see  the  line  drawn  up  to  hear  read  the  last  order  I  ever 
gave  you.  I  see  the  moistened  eyes  and  quivering  lips.  I  hear  the 
command  to  break  ranks.  I  feel  the  grasp  of  the  hand  and  see  the 
tears  on  the  cheeks  of  men  who  had  dared  death  so  long  that  it 
had  lost  its  terror.  And  1  know  now,  as  I  knew  then,  that  each  heart 
suffered  with  mine  the  agony  of  the  Titan  in  his  resignation  to  fate  : 

"The  rock,  the  vulture  and  the  chain — 
All  that  the  proud  can  feel  of  pain." 

I  miss  among  you  the  faces  of  some  who  were  present  that  day,  but 
have  since  passed  over  the  great  river,  and  memory  brings  back  the 
image  of  many  of  that  glorious  band  who  then  slept  in  the  red  burial 
of  war. 

Modern  skepticism  has  destroyed  one  of  the  most  beautiful  crea 
tions  of  the  Epic  ages — the  belief  that  the  spirits  of  dead  warriors  meet 
daily  in  the  halls  of  Valhalla,  and  there  around  the  festive  board 
recount  the  deeds  they  did  in  the  other  world.  For  this  evening, 
at  least,  let  us  adopt  the  ancient  superstition,  if  superstition  it  be.  It 
may  seem  presumption  in  me,  but  a  man  who  belonged  to  my  com 
mand  may  be  forgiven  for  thinking  that  in  that  assembly  of  heroes — 
when  the  feast  of  the  wild  boar  is  spread — Smith  and  Turner,  Montjoy 
and  Glascock,  Fox  and  Whitescarver  and  their  companions  will  not 
be  unnoted  in  the  mighty  throng.  I  shall  make  no  particular  allusion 
to  the  part  you  played  in  the  great  tragedy  of  war.  Oui  personal 
associations  were  so  intimate,  it  would  not  become  me  to  do  so.  But, 
standing  here  as  I  do  amid  the  wreck  of  perished  hopes,  this  much  at 
least  I  can  say,  that  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of  fortune  and  in  all  the 
trials  of  life  I  have  never  ceased  to  feel,  as  I  told  you  when  parting, 
"a  just  pride  in  the  fame  of  your  achievements  and  grateful  recol 
lections  of  your  generous  kindness  to  myself." 

I  remember — and  may  my  right  arm  wither  if  I  ever  forget — 
how,  when  the  mournful  tidings  came  from  Ap'pomattox  that  "  Young 


522 


APPENDIX. 


Harry  Percy's  spur  is  cold,"  you  stood  with  unshaken  fidelity  to  the 
last,  and  never  quit  my  side  until  I  told  you  to  go. 

A  great  poet  of  antiquity  said,  as  descriptive  of  the  Romans, 
that  they  changed  their  sky  but  not  their  hearts  when  they  crossed 
over  the  sea.  As  long  as  I  lived  in  far  Cathay  my  heart,  untraveled, 
dwelt  among  the  people  in  whose  defense  I  had  shed  my  blood 
and  given  the  best  years  of  my  life.  In  the  solitude  of  exile  it  was 
a  solace  to  hear  that  my  name  was  sometimes  mentioned  by  them  with 
expressions  of  good  will.  Nothing  that  concerns  the  honor  and  wel 
fare  of  Virginia  can  ever  be  indifferent  to  me.  I  wish  that  life's  de 
scending  shadows  had  fallen  upon  me  in  the  midst  of  the  friends  and 
the  scenes  I  love  best.  But  destiny — not  my  will — compels  me  to 
abide  far  away  on  the  shore  of  that  sea,  where 

"The  god  of  gladness  sheds  his  parting  smile." 

I  must  soon  say  to  you  again  farewell,  a  word  that  must  be  and 
hath  been.  I  shall  carry  back  to  my  home  by  the  Golden  Gate  proud 
recollections  of  this  evening.  And  I  shall  still  feel,  as  I  have  always 
felt,  that  life  cannot  offer  a  more  bitter  cup  than  the  one  I  drained 
when  we  parted  at  Salem,  nor  any  higher  reward  to  ambition  than  that 
I  received  as  commander  of  the  Forty-third  Battalion  of  Virginia 
Cavalry. 

Gen.  John  B.  Gordon  answered  to  "  The  Army  of  Northern  Vir 
ginia." 

Senator  John  W.  Daniel  to  "  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee." 

Major  R.  W.  Hunter,  "The  Ladies  of  the  South,  who  cheered  us  in 
our  victories,  and  wept  with  us  in  our  defeat." 

Mr.  Joseph  Bryan,  "The  last  days  of  the  Confederacy." 

Gen.  Marcus  J.  Wright  delivered  an  address  on  the  history  of  Mos- 
by  and  his  Men. 

Speeches  were  also  made  by  Senator  Eppa  Hunton,  Lieut.-Colonel 
Wm.  H.  Chapman,  Gen.  W.  H.  Payne,  of  the  famous  Black  Horse 
Cavalry  and  Dr.  A.  Monteiro. 

The  happy  strains  of  "Dixie,"  "Hail  Columbia,"  and  other  airs  en 
livened  the  company,  and  when  the  soul-stirring  music  of  the  "Star 
Spangled  Banner"  fell  upon  their  ears,  there  was  present  Billings 
Steele  (a  grandson  of  Francis  S.  Key,  the  author  of  that  immortal  ode), 
who  had  followed  the  banner  of  the  Confederacy  and  Mosby  through 
his  eventful  career. 

Toastmaster  Major  Richards  announced  the  close  of  the  entertain 
ment  in  a  brief  but  eloquent  address,  and  Mosby's  Men  dispersed, 
carrying  with  them  an  addition  to  their  store  of  pleasant  reminiscences 
from  this  peaceful  raid  on  Alexandria. 


MOSBY'S  RANGERS.  523 

Reunion  at  Alar  shall  (old  Salem). 

The  following  circular  was  sent  out  by  the  Committee  of  Arrange 
ment  : 

REUNION  OF  MOSBY'S  MEN. 

There  will  be  a  reunion  of  the  surviving  members  of  the  43d  Bat 
talion  of  Virginia  Cavalry,  better  known  as  "  Mosby's  Men,"  at  Mar 
shall,  Fauquier  County,  Va.  (formerly  called  "Salem"),  on  Wednesday, 
August  i4th.  1895. 

Every  member  is  invited  and  expected  to  be  present  without  fur 
ther  notice,  and,  as  there  are  numbers  of  them  whose  post-office  ad 
dresses  are  unknown  to  the  committee,  it  is  earnestly  requested  that 
every  effort  be  made  to  give  the  greatest  possible  publicity  to  the 
notice. 

Therefore,  all  who  receive  a  copy  of  this  circular  are  urged  to  mail  it 
AT  ONCE  to  some  other  friend  or  acquaintance,  who  was  a  Mosbyite,  with 
the  request  that  HE  IN  TURN,  SHALL  "PASS  THE  WORD  ALONG,"  as  we 
used  to  do  in  the  old  time,  in  order  that  we  may  have  a  full  turn-out 
and  a  royal  good  time. 

All  are  invited,  the  only  qualification  being  that  they  shall  have 
been  members  of  Mosby's  command,  and  they  will  be  welcome  and 
well  cared  for. 

Those  who  expect  to  attend  will  please  signify  the  same  by  dropping 
a  line  to  one  of  the  undersigned. 

J.  H.  FOSTER,  Marshall,  Va. 
J.  M.  RAMEY,  Marshall,  Va. 
C.  H.  WALKER,  Rectortown,  Va. 
H.  S.  ASHBY,  Delaplane,  Va. 
GEO.  M.  SLATER,  Paris,  Va. 

Of  Committee. 
Marshall,  Va.,  August  ist,  1895. 

P.  S.  Every  Mosby  Man  into  whose  hands  this  circular  may  fall, 
whether  he  attends  this  meeting  or  not,  is  requested  to  send  his  name, 
and  the  company  he  belonged  to  and  his  present  post-office  address 
at  once,  so  he  may  be  registered  on  a  permanent  list  I  wish  to  make 
up.  Don't  fail  to  do  this. 

J.  H.  FOSTER,  Marshall,  Va. 

This  reunion  took  place  in  a  pretty  little  grove  near  the  town  of 
Marshall,  Virginia  (formerly  called  "Salem"),  in  the  rear  of  the  field 
where  Mosby's  Men  were  disbanded  on  the  2ist  of  April,  1865. 

There  were  present  130  of  "Mosby's  Rangers"  and  about  3,000 
spectators. 

The  meeting  was  opened  by  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Sydnor  G.  Fer 
guson,  the  "  fighting  parson."  Speeches  were  made  by  Capt.  James 
William  Foster,  J.  S.  Mason  and  Joseph  Bryan. 

The  regret  felt  for  the  absence  of  Colonel  Mosby  was  partly  made 
up  by  the  presence  of  his  four  daughters,  Mrs.  R.  R.  Campbell,  Mrs. 
W.  E.  Coleman,  Miss  Pauline  Mosby,  Miss  Ada  Mosby,  and  Mosby's 
two  grandsons. 


524  APPENDIX. 

A  resolution  was  passed  to  start  a  subscription  fund  to  erect  a 
monument  to  those  of  Mosby's  Men  who  were  murdered  by  Ouster's 
command  at  Front  Royal. 

Another  resolution  was  passed,  that  as  Miss  Winnie  Davis  was 
known  as  "the  Daughter  of  the  Confederacy,"  Miss  Pauline  Mosby  be 
chosen  by  the  Camp  as  "the  Daughter  of  Mosby's  Confederacy." 

It  was  decided  to  hold  the  next  reunion  at  Richmond,  Va. 

The  Committee  in  charge,  above-named,  left  nothing  undone  which 
could  contribute  to  the  comfort  and  enjoyment  of  those  present. 
The  generous  people  of  the  community  had  prepared  a  bountiful 
repast,  which  furnished  an  abundance  for  all. 

Mosby  and  his  men  are  dear  to  the  people  of  Fauquier,  and  on 
this  occasion  they  gave  evidence  of  the  sincerity  of  their  affection  for 
them  in  the  warm  greeting  extended  to  the  survivors  of  that  gallant 
band. 

There  were  no  formal  ceremonies,  but  all  were  left  free  to  enjoy 
the  event  in  a  manner  most  pleasing  to  themselves  and  the  day  was 
indeed  a  happy  reunion. 


The  Reunion  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  on  Wednesday,  Jan.  16,  1895,  is 
usually  spoken  of  as  the  First  Reunion  of  Mosby's  Command,  yet 
it  was  not  really  the  First  Reunion  of  "Mosby's  Men,"  as  will  be  seen 
by  the  following  report  of  meeting  held  in  Baltimore,  just  twenty 
years  before,  and  taken  from  the  Baltimore  Sun,  of  Jan.  8,  1875: 

"Reunion  of  Mosby's  Men. — The  members  of  the  late  Forty-third 
Battalion,  Virginia  Cavalry  (Mosby's  Men),  residing  in  Baltimore, 
met  last  night  at  No.  66  Saratoga  Street,  Captain  W.  E.  Frankland, 
president,  in  the  chair,  John  Gray,  secretary.  At  a  meeting  held  some 
months  since  a  permanent  reorganization  for  social  purposes  was 
effected,  and  the  meeting  last  night  was  to  arrange  for  a  grand  re 
union  of  the  entire  command.  There  are  forty-two  members  of  the 
command  now  living  in  Baltimore,  engaged  in  various  mercantile 
and  professional  pursuits,  and  certainly  if  the  Baltimore  members  are 
to  be  taken  as  samples  of  Mosby's  warriors,  they  were  not  very 
savage  in  looks  or  manner.  In  point  of  good  looks,  refinement  and 
intelligence  they  would  compare  favorably  with  any  similar  assem 
blage. 

''The  meeting  was  informal,  and  stories  of  hairbreadth  escapes, 
jolly  times  and  thrilling  encounters  went  the  rounds  of  the  party. 
A  Committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  names  of  surviving  mem 
bers  of  the  battalion  and  take  steps  to  arrange  a  general  organization, 
each  member  to  pay  $i  initiation  fee.  On  motion  of  J.  H.  Foster, 
it  was  resolved  that  when  the  meeting  adjourn  it  be  to  meet  again 
on  the  anniversary  of  the  fight  at  Berryville,  which  will  be  in  next 
August.  A  committee  of  three  was  also  appointed  to  make  prepara 
tions  for  the  reunion  and  banquet,  and  extend  invitations  to  all  the 
former  members  and  officers  of  the  command." 


APPENDIX.  523 

1896. — Mosby's  Men  met  this  year  at  Richmond,  Va.,  June  30,  and 
July  I  and  2,  during  the  Grand  Reunion  of  the  Confederate  Veteran 
Camps,  and  attended  the  ceremonies  of  laying  the  Corner-stone  of 
the  Monument  to  President  Jefferson  Davis. 

1897. — Baltimore,  Md.,  October  14. 

1898. — Manassas,  Va.,  October  25. 

1899. — Front  Royal,  Va.,  September  23,  being  the  anniversary  of 
the  execution  of  six  of  our  comrades.  On  this  occasion  the  monu 
ment  erected  to  their  memory,  was  unveiled  in  the  presence  of  five 
thousand  Virginians  and  old  Confederates.  Nearly  every  Southern 
State  was  represented,  and  some  from  as  far  north  as  New  York. 
Over  two  hundred  of  Mosby's  Men  were  in  attendance.  The  oration 
of  the  day  was  delivered  by  Major  A.  E.  Richards  (formerly  of 
Mosby's  command),  of  Louisville,  Ky. 


MONUMENT  TO  MOSBY'S  MEN,  AT  FRONT  ROYAL,  VA. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  oration,  Martha  M.  Strother,  grand 
daughter  of  Thomas  E.  Anderson  and  Mary  Williamson,  great-niece 
of  Henry  C.  Rhodes  (two  of  the  seven  men  to  whose  memory  the 
monument  was  erected),  drew  the  cords  which  bound  the  veil,  hiding 
the  shaft  from  view. 

An  address  in  acceptance  was  made  by  Hon.  R.  H.  Downing,  on 
behalf  of  the  ladies  of  the  Warren  Memorial  Association.  Thirteen 
laurel  wreaths  were  then  placed  around  the  base  of  the  monument, 
typifying  the  thirteen  States  of  the  Confederacy. 

The  monument  is  on  an  eminence  in  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery, 
directly  facing  the  entrance.  It  is  a  beautiful  granite  shaft  of  rough 
hewn  stone,  25  feet  high.  The  inscription  on  the  front  reads: 


526  MOSBY'S  RANGERS. 

Erected  1899  by  the  Survivors  of  Mosby's  Command  In  Memory 
of  Seven  Comrades  Executed  While  Prisoners  of  War  Near  this 
Spot  September  23rd,  1864. 

(On  the  back). 

In  Everlasting  Honor  of  Thomas  E.  Anderson,  -  —  Carter, 
David  L.  Jones,  Lucien  Love,  William  Thomas  Overby,  Henry  C. 
Rhodes,  Albert  C.  Willis,  43rd  Battalion  Virginia  Cavalry,  Mosby's 
Command,  C.  S.  A. 

(On  the   side) 

Confederate  battle-flag,  and  the  inscription,  "Dulce  et  decorum 
est  pro  patria  mori."  . 

1900. — Fairfax,  Va.,  September   n  and  12. 

1901. — Warrenton,  Va.,  September   14. 

1902. — Leesburg,  Va.,  July  30. 

1903. — Culpeper,  Va.,  August  5. 

1904. — Berryville,  Va.,  August  12,  it  being  the  anniversary  of  the 
raid  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Sheridan's  wagon  train  on  the 
morning  of  the  I3th. 

1905. — Fredericksburg,  Va.,  August   19. 

1906. — Richmond,  Va.,  October  10. 

1907. — Richmond,  Va.,  June  2  and  3.  This  was  an  informal  re 
union.  It  was  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  Jefferson  Davis 
Monument  and  the  unveiling  of  the  Equestrian  Statue  of  Gen.  Stuart. 
A  great  many  of  our  comrades  were  in  attendance  with  their  various 
camps,  and  on  one  of  the  days  they  all  assembled  at  Lee  Camp  Hall 
and  there  had  a  little  social  reunion. 

1908. — Hamilton,  Va.,  September  30. 


528 


APPENDIX. 


REUNION  GROUP. 

Key  to  Group  at  the  Second  Reunion  of  the  43d  Battalion,  Virginia  Cavalry  (Mosby's  Rangers) 
at  Marshall  (old  Salem),  August  14,  1895. 

Copied  from  Photograph  taken  by  L.  C.  Handy,  Photographer,  Washington,  D.  C. 


1.  Thomas  B.  Rector, 

2.  Lieut.  Channing  M.  Smith. 

3.  J.  Bowen, 

4.  Samuel  Waggaman, 

5.  J.  M.  Johnson, 

6.  Benton  Fletcher, 

7.  R.  F.  Heflin, 

8.  S.  E.  Rogers, 

9.  John  W.  Green, 

10.  J.  M.  Rixey, 

11.  J.  A.  Silman, 

12.  Frank  Geschky  ("Zoo")  (Johnson) 

13.  James  J.  Williamson, 

14.  John  H.  Foster, 

15.  T.  A.  Russell, 

16.  C.  H.  Walker, 

17.  John  R.  Kcrrick, 

18.  W.  P.  Fugg'tt, 
IQ.  Luther  Hurst, 

20.  Frank  M.Woolf, 

21.  James  I.  Seaton, 

22.  L.  M.  Davis, 

23.  F.  T.  Craig. 

24.  John  H.  Elkins, 

25.  J.  V.  Kerns, 

26.  J.  P.  Smith, 

27.  Win.  H.  Garrison, 
28    S.  R.  Armstrong, 

29.  J.  M.  Ramey, 

30.  J.  C.  Burke, 

31.  C.  T.  Hawling, 

32.  W.  P.  Thomas, 

33.  Shelton  Lunzeford, 

34.  F.  E.  Robey, 

35.  Thomas  R.  O'Meara, 

36.  J.  M.  Strother, 

37.  Rev.  Sydnor  G.  Ferguson, 

38.  E.  S.  Hurst, 

39.  Capt.  James  Wm.  Foster, 

40.  Wm.  H.  Lake, 

41.  George  S.  Ayre, 

42.  J.  H.  Lunzeford, 

43.  W.  B.  Weir, 

44.  John  M.  Lawrence, 

45.  R.  N.  Flynn, 

46.  Lieut.  W.  Ben  Palmer, 

47.  Charles  E.  Biedler, 

48.  L.  E.  Woodward, 


49.  J.  E.  Legg, 

50.  R.  M.  Mackall, 

51.  George  R.  L.  Turberville, 

52.  Miss  Ada  Mosby, 

53.  Mrs.  R.  R.  Campbell, 

54.  Mrs.  W.  E.  Coleman, 

55.  Miss  Pauline  Mosby, 

A.  Spottswood  Campbell, 

B.  Mosby  Campbell, 

56.  Capt.  Walter  E.  Frankland, 

57.  C.  J.  Coiner, 

58.  W.  G.  Pearson, 

59.  W.  C.  Anderson, 

60.  F.  D.  Vaughan, 

61.  James  A.  Gray, 

62.  Robert  M.  Harrover, 

63.  Ludwell  Lake, 

65.  W.  Cockerill, 

66.  Capt.  Peter  A.  Franklin, 

67.  Benoni  F.  Nails, 

68.  L.  F.  Walker, 

69.  H.  C.  Pearson, 

70.  Wm.  A.  Anderson, 

71.  J.  W.  Hammond, 

72.  Benjamin  Simpson, 

73.  John  C.  Utz, 

74.  John  N.  Ballard, 

75.  John  R.  Castleman, 

76.  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Nelson, 

77.  Thomas  W.  Lake, 

78.  Claude  (son  of  Lieut.  Harry  Hatcher), 

79.  L.  E.  Hutchinson, 

80.  Harry  T.  Sinnott, 

81.  Henry  S.  Ashby, 

82.  Dr.  J.  J.  Williams, 

83.  H.  M.  Mcllhany, 

84.  J.  E.  Pickett, 

85.  S.  C.  Floweree, 

86.  J.  S.  Mason, 

87.  J.  P.  Walker, 
83.  J.  W.  Bell, 

89.  F.  G.  Hatcher  (son  of  R.  Welt.  Hatcher), 

90.  Charles  H.  Gray, 

91.  Lieut.  B.  Frank  Carter, 

92.  Charles  E.  Davis, 

93.  II.  N.  Brawner, 

94.  D.  J.  Moffett, 

95.  B.  Addison  Triplett. 


APPENDIX. 


529 


PRESENT  WHEREABOUTS    OF    SURVIVING    MEMBERS    OF    FORTY-THIRD 

BATTALION    VIRGINIA    CAVALRY     (MOSBY'S    RANGERS), 

ARMY    OF    NORTHERN    VIRGINIA, 

Confederate    States    of   America. 

Colonel,    JOHN    S.    MOSBY,    Assistant    Attorney,    Department    of    Justice, 

Washington,  D.   C. 
Lieutenant-Colonel,   WILLIAM   H.    CHAPMAN,   U.    S.    Revenue    Agent, 

Richmond,    Va. 

Major,   ADOLPHUS    E.    RICHARDS,    City    Attorney,    Louisville,    Ky. 

Adjutant,    WILLIAM    H.    MOSBY,    Postmaster,    Bedford    City,    Va. 

Surgeon,    A.    MONTEIRO,    Physician    and    Surgeon,    Richmond,    Va. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  WILLIAM  L.  DUNN,  Physician  and  Surgeon,  Glade   Springs,  Va. 


Aldridge,   J.   West,   Westminster,    Md. 

Alexander,  J.,  (Co.  B),  Warren,  Albt- 
inarle  Co.,  Va. 

Anderson,  Dr.  Boswell  P.,  Resident 
Physician,  Colorado  Springs,  Col. 

Anderson,   Isaac,    Airmont,    Va. 

Anderson,  W.  A.,  Grocer,  Washington, 
D.  C. 

Anderson,  W.    C.,   Markham,   Va. 

Angelo,  Frank  M.,  Agricult.  Dept.,  Wash 
ington,  D.  C. 

Arrington,  G.  W.  (John  C.  Orrick), 
Canadian,  Texas. 

Armstrong,   S.    R.,   Woodville,    Ya. 

Ashby,  Henry  S.,  Gen.  Store,  Delaplane, 
Va. 

Aylor,   John   L.,    Marshall,    Va. 

Ay  re,   George   H.,   Burchard,   Xeb. 

Ball,   Rev.    B.   F.,   Mt.    Crawford,   Va. 
Ballard.John  N.,  Commissioner  of  Revenue, 

Fairfax,  Va. 

Beal,  Joseph    R.,    Roanoke,    Va. 
Bear,    Charles   A.,    Washington,    D.    C. 
Beattie,    Lieut.     Fountain,     Internal     Rev. 

Service,    Alexandria,    Va. 
Bell,   James    W.,    Haymarkct,    Va. 
Belvin,    W.    D.,    Johnson    City,    Tenn. 
Berryman,     Frank     C.,     Carpenter,    Alex 
andria,  Va. 

Betts,    E.    R.,   Richmond,    Va. 
Biedler,    Charles    E.,    104    Hopkins    Place, 

Baltimore,   Aid. 

Bishop,  John   H.,   Charlestown,   West   Va. 
Blanchard,  Harris  C.,  Confederate  Soldiers' 

Home,  Pikesville,  Md. 
Boiling,    Bartlett,   University   of   Virginia, 

Va. 

Boiling,    Samuel,    Bedford    City,    Va. 
Booker,    Sergt.    Thomas,    Soldiers'    Home, 

Richmond,    Va. 

Bowen,    Fred.    F.,    Lawyer,    Danville,   Va. 
Bowen,   James,    Remington,    Va. 
Brady,     A.     R.,     Policeman,     Brightwood, 

D.  C. 
Brawner,  H.    N.,  Alexandria,   Va. 


Brent,  James   R.,   Silver   City,    N.    M. 
Briscoe,    Lieut.    David    S.,     Lawyer,    724 

Law    Bldg.,    Baltimore,    Md. 
Broadwater,    Richard   F.,    Fairfax,   Va. 
Brock,    Harry,    Merc.     Agency,    74    Wall 

St.,    New   York. 

Brooke,   William    T.,    Norfolk,    Va. 
Brooks,    Charles,    Waynesboro,    Va. 
Browning,    Lafayette,    Amissville,    Va. 
Buckner,   R.    P.,  Washington,   D.    C. 
Burke,   John    C.,    Alexandria,    Va. 
Burke,   Thomas   T.,   Barcroft,   Va. 
Burr,   Tobe,    Sterling,    Va. 

Carey,     Alexander     G.,     2127      Maryland 

Avenue,    Baltimore,    Md. 
Carlisle,  D.  Graf  ton,  1324  Myrtle  Avenue, 

Baltimore,    Md. 

Carter,   Thomas  W.,    Orange,   Va. 
Chancellor,   James   M.,    Round   Hill,   Va. 
Chandler,  H.    H.,   Louisa  C.  H.,  Va. 
Chapman,  Capt.  Samuel  F.,  Office  Deputy 

and    U.    S.     Marshal    Western    District 

of   Va.,   Staunton,    Va. 
Christian,    E.    W.,    Mobile,   Ala. 
Clark,  J.   J.,  Herndon,   Va. 
Coiner,    J.    Cornelius,    Staunton,    Va.        , 
Coiner,   John    Xick,   Waynesboro,   Va. 
Cole,    E.    D.,    Fredericksburg,    Va. 
Coleman,    W.    A.,    Harrisonburg,    Va. 
Coons,    Frank    A.,    Culpeper,   Va. 
Coons,  J.  Will,  Culpeper.  Va. 
Corbin.  Sergt,  L.  A..  Ryland,  Va. 
Core,   John   H.,    Norfolk,    Va. 
Cowherd,    B.    R.,    Columbia,   Va. 
Craig,   F.    T.,   Landmark,   Va. 
Crook,     Robert     N.,     Southern     Railway, 

Alexandria,   Va. 
Crosen,    Samuel   E.,  Ashburn,   Va. 

Danne,    Charles,    Trevilian,    Va. 

Davis,  H.    E.,   Clifton,   Va. 

Davis,  L.  Morgan,  Carpenter,  Alexandria, 

Va. 

Davis,  W.   D.,   Middleburg,  Va. 
Dear,   Charles  H.,    Internal   Rev.   Service, 

Washington,    Rapp.    Co.,    Va. 


530 


MOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


De   Butts,   ST.,  John  P.,  Upperville,   Va. 

Dent,  George,   Pope's  Creek,   Md. 

Dowell,   Peter   G.,   The   Plains,    Va. 

Downing,  Jack  A.,   Hitch  P.   O.,   Va. 

Drain,   Albert,    Sterling,   Va. 

Dunning,  John,  Confederate  Soldiers' 
Home,  Pikesville,  Md. 

Dunnington,  Charles  A.,  Library  of  Con 
gress,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Early,    Wiley,    Fort    Smith,    Ark. 
Kastham,   Philip  B.,   Flint   Hill,   Va. 
Eastham,  Robert  W.   (Bob  Ridley),  P.  O. 

Washington,    Va.  , 

Ellis,  James  W.,   California. 

Fairfax,    Arthur   W.,    Washington,    D.    C. 

Faulkner,   J.   H.,  Winchester,   Va. 

Faulkner,  W.  W.,  Baltimore,  Md.  (Tunis 
Lumber  Co.) 

Fletcher,   W.   A.,    Purcellville,   Va. 

Flynn,   Robert  N.,   Philomont,   Va. 

Ford,   John    M.,    Clifton    Station,    Va. 

Foster,  Capt.  J.  William,  Schuyler,  Nel 
son  Co.,  Va. 

Fox,    C.    A.,    Physician,    Beltsville,    Md. 

Franklin,  Capt.  Peter  A.  (H.  B.  Claflin 
Co.),  New  York. 

Gaines,   W.    H.,  Culpeper,   Va. 
Gale,  T.    B.,   Fredericksburg,   Va. 
Gibson,    Henry   C.,    Water  ford,    Va. 
Gibson,   John   T.,   Manassas,   Va. 
Goddin,   H.    T.,    Richmond,   Va. 
Gcsden,   Walter   W.,    Richmond,    Va. 
Green,    John    W.,    Upperville,    Va. 
Grogan,    Lieut.   Charles   E.,    Bailiff,   Court 

House,    r>altimore,   Md. 
Gunnell,  George  W.,  West  Falls  Church, 

Ya. 
Gunnell,    James    N.,    Vale,    Fairfax    Co., 

Va. 

Hammond,  John  W.,  Mutual  Ice  Co., 
Alexandria,  Ya. 

Haney,  James   E.,   Luray,   Ya. 

Harris,    H.    G.,    Scottsville,    Ya. 

Harrison,  Henry  H.,  Black  Point,  Dade 
Co.,  Fla.  Orange  grove  and  real  es 
tate. 

Harrover,  Robert  M.,  1240  Ninth  St., 
N.  W.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Hawling,    Charles   T.,    Leesburg,    Ya. 

Henson,    Samuel    P.,    Poindexters,    Va. 

Hill,   F.   L.,   Falmouth,  Va. 

Hipkins,    Fred.    S.,    New   York. 

Hiter,    P.    M.,   Louisa,    Va. 

Hitt,   Burgess,    Slate  Mills,   Va. 

Hitt,  E.   W.,  Halfway,   Va. 

Hixson,  George   W.,    Manassas,   Va. 

Hoffman,   J.    M.,    Remington,    Ya. 

Hopkins,  J.    E.,   New   Market,   Va. 


Horsley,    John,    Lovingston,    Nelson    Co., 

Va. 

Hurst,    Edward    S.,    Fairfax,  Va.''''U;< 'yl 
Hutchison,    L.    E.,    Herndon,    Va. 
Jackson,    Edgar    M.,    Leesburg,   Va. 
Jones,   Zach.   F.,    Scottsville,   Va. 
Jordan,   H.    C.,    Richmond,    Va.,. ,,,,•> 
Judd,  J.   H.,  Culpeper,   Va. 

Kemper,     Rev.     J.     F.,     Baptist"  Minister, 

Woodville,    Va. 

Kennerly,   J.    F.,   White    Post,':  Vi. 
Kerrick,    John    P.,    Tryme,    Madison    Co., 
'  •  '  Va.  •     '  •;:•;•'•     . 

Kincheloe,   W.   S.,   Clifton    Station,   Va.    • 
Kite,    C.    E.,    Grans    Mills,    Madison    Co., 

Va. 
Kite,    J.    P.,    Grans    Mills,    Madison    Co., 

Ya. 

Lake,    Ludwell,    Madison,-   Va.,':          \  ' 
Lake,  Thomas  W.,   Philomont,   Va.        - 
Lambert,  Charles  P.,    Staunton,   Va.- 
Lane,   Frank,  Weihle,   Fairfax  Co.,  Va. 
Leach,  Thornton  V.,  Front  Royal,  Va. 
Lee.    Clifton,    Richmond,    Va. 
Lee,    Philip,    Chantilly,    Va. 
Leonard,  D.   Ei,;  Samson,  Va. 
Lintz,   William   F.,  Jeweler,   Norfolk,  Va. 
Littleton,    J.    T.,    Charlestown,    West    Va. 
Locke,   John   W.,    Charlestown,   West   Va. 
Lofland,    George    S.,    Earleysville,    Ya. 
Lynn,  John  F.    (Dadge),    Grundy   Centre, 
Iowa.    (Farm.) 

McCourt,   C.   A.,   Norfolk,   Ya. 
McCue,  John  W.,   Iron  Gate,  Va. 
Mcllhany,    Sergt.   Hugh   M.,   Real    Estate, 

23    S.   Augusta   St.,   Staunton,   Va. 
Macall,   Robert  M.,  Culpeper,  Va. 
Macoy,   B.    C.,   Culpeper,   Va. 
Mason,  J.    S.,    Farm,    Marshall,   Va. 
Mason,    Rev.    Landon    R.,    Richmond,    Va. 
Massie,  George  W.,  Louisa  C.   H.,  Va. 
Melton,  J.    M.,   Greenville,   Va. 
Mercer,    Corbin    W.,    Richmond,    Va. 
Miller,   James   N.,   Slate   Mills,  Va. 
Mitchell,   James  Jackson, 
Mohler,     Sergt.    David    G.,     Real    Estate, 

Washington,    D.    C. 
Monroe,     S.     L.,     Jackson,     Miss.     Route 

No.    i. 
Moon,  Jacob  L.,  Richmond,  Va. 

Nails,    Btrnoni   F.,   Culpeper,    Ya. 

Nott,    Andrew    H.,    Richmond,    Va.      (Box 

10). 
Nunn,  John   W.,  Louisa  C.  H.,  Va. 

O'Brien,    E.    H.,    Lumber    Merch.,    Alex 
andria,   Va. 

Orrison,  Robert,   Pleasant   Valley,   Va. 
Owen,  Joseph   W.,    Bristol,    Va. 


APPENDIX. 


531 


Owen,  M.  B.,  Soldiers'  Home,  Richmond, 
Va. 

Page,   Lieut.   John    P.,   Berryville,    Va. 
Palmer,     Lieut.     W.     B.,     Com.     Merch., 

1321  E.  Cary  St.,  Richmond,  Va. 
Patteson,    Dr.    A.    Lee,    Augusta    Springs, 

Va. 
Patteson,     William     W.,     Charlottesville, 

Va. 
Pearson,    H.    Clay,    Building    Contractor, 

Gainesville,   Va. 

Pearson,   W.    G.,   Marshall,   Va. 
Pendleton,     C.     Mason,     2116     i8th     St., 

X.  W.,   Washington,  D.   C. 
Pickett,  George   R.,  Annandale,  Va. 
Pickett,   James    E.,   Waterfall,    Va. 
Pitts,  J.   Emery,   Pocomoke,   Md. 
Powell,    Rupert    R.,    Richmond,    Va. 
Prout,  John  B.,  Govt.   Navy  Yard,   Wash 
ington,   D.    C. 
Puryear,    Lieut.    John    W.,    Gordonsville, 

Va. 

Rahm,  Lieut.  Frank  H.,  316  Harrison 
Avenue,  Richmond,  Va. 

Read,  John  W.,  1508  Paris  Road,  Colum 
bia,  Mo. 

Rector,    Thomas   B.,   Philomont,   Va. 

Ricketts,  John  E.,  Flint  Hill,   Va. 

Richards,  Capt.  Thomas  W.  T.,  Real 
Estate,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Rixey,  James   M.,   Alexandria,  Va. 

Robey,    Frank   E.,   Bluemont,    Va. 

Robinson,   H.   W.,   Ayletts,    Va. 

Rogers,   Samuel   E.,   Hamilton,    Va. 

Russell,   Lieut.   John   S.,    Berryville,    Va. 

Russell,    Sergt.   Thomas  A.,   Orlean,   Va. 

Sedgwick,    Frank,    Lottie,   Va. 

Shacklett,  Edward,  Gen.  Store,  Dela- 
plane,  Va. 

Showalter,  J.  D.,  Colorado  Springs,  Colo. 

Silman,  James  A.,  Fairfax  C.  H.,  Va. 

Simpson,  J.    P.,    Falmouth,    Va. 

Sinclair,  James  W.,  Watson,  Louisa  Co., 
Va. 

Sinclair,   John,    Sturgeon,    Mo. 

Sinnott,    Harry    T.,    Nashville,    Tenn. 

Smith,    Boyd,   Louisa,   Va. 

Smith,  Lieut.  Channing  M.,  Delaplane, 
Va. 

Smith,    D.   L.,    Fredericksburg,   Va. 

Smith,   G.    W.    (Mayor),    Lynchburg,    Va. 

Smith,   J.    P.,    Waterfall,    Va. 

Snead,  Rev.  Edwin  B.,  Episcopal  Min 
ister,  Norfolk,  Va. 

Sowers,   Dr.  John   R.,  Warrenton,   Va. 

Spindle,    Robert,    Centerville,    Va. 

Spittle,  William  R.,  Carpenter,  Alex 
andria,  Va. 


Stone,   J.    E.,   Farr,  Fairfax  Co.,   Va. 
Stone,    William    R.,    Druggist,    Washing 
ton,  D.    C. 

Strother,   Alfred   M.,   Delaplane,    Va. 
Strother,   Rev.    Francis   A.,    Fairfax,   Va. 

Tansill,  W.    N.,    Fredericksburg,    Va. 

Terry,    R.    Stockton,    Lynchburg,   Va. 

Thomas,  Daniel  L.,  Box  391,  Baltimore, 
Md. 

Thomas,   W.   P.,   Leesburg,   Va. 

Thomson,  Lieut.  Edward  F.,  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  Clarendon,  Va. 

Thrift,  Ben,  Grocer,  2924  M  St.,  N.  W., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Tillett,  John   R.,  Manassas,   Va. 

Trammell,    William,    Chantilly,    Va. 

Turberville,  George  R.  L.,  Govt.  Print 
ing  Office,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Underwood,    Samuel,    Sterling,    Va. 
Utz,   John   C.,   Madison,    Va. 

Vandeventer,   Dr.   Joe,   Ishpenning,    Mich. 
Vandeventer,   T.   H.,    Leesburg,   Va. 
Vest,   Charles   B.,    Trevilians,   Va. 

Waggaman,  Samuel,  M.  D.,  Phar.  D., 
Prof,  materia  medica,  botany  and  toxi 
cology,  Georgetown  University;  also, 
National  College  of  Pharmacy,  Wash 
ington,  D.  C. 

Walker,  Charles  H.,  City  Treasurer, 
Charlottesville,  Va. 

Walker,   Lewis  F.,   Painter,   Marshall,   Va. 

Walker,  Capt.   Robert   S.,  Orange,  Va. 

Walter,  Henry  S.,  1123  B  St.,  S.  E., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Waters,   Hugh    T.,   Washington,    D.    C. 

Wayman,    Dr.   Joseph    T.,    Staunton,    Va. 

White,  Hugh   W.,   Broad  Run,   Va. 

White,  John  M.,  Judge  of  Albemarle  Co., 
Charlottesville,  Va. 

Wilbourne,   Henry   A.,    Farmville,   Va. 

Williams,  Lieut.  Franklin,  Vienna  P.  O., 
Va. 

Williams,  Rev.  James  T.,  Charlestown, 
West  Va. 

Williams,  J.  J.,  Physician,  Hotel  Bel  Air, 
Md. 

Williamson,   James  J.,   Jersey   City,   N.    J. 

Wiltshire,  Lieut.  James  G.,  Physician, 
819  N.  Eutaw  St.,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Woodward,    Luke    E.,    Rectortown,    Va. 

Wrenn,  Lieut.  Albert,  Great  A.  &  P.  Tea 
Co.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Wrenn,  Sergt.  James  W.  (G.  Taylor 
Wade),  Com.  Merch.,  Washington, 
D.  C. 

Wright,  Hon.  Daniel  Giraud,  Judge 
Criminal  Court,  Baltimore,  Md. 


ROSTER 


OF  THE 

FORTY -THIRD  BATTALION  VIRGINIA  CAVALRY, 

ARMY    OF    NORTHERN    VIRGINIA, 
Confederate  States  of  America. 

Colonel,  JOHN  S.  MOSBY. 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  WILLIAM  H.  CHAPMAN. 
Major,  ADOLPHUS  E.  RICHARDS. 

Adjutant,  WILLIAM  H.  MOSBY. 
Quartermaster,  J.  WRIGHT  JAMES. 

Surgeon,  DR.  A.  MONTEIRO. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  DR.  W.  L.  DUNN. 

Sergeant-Major,  GUY  BROADWATER. 

COMPANY  A. 

From  Roll  furnished  by  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Nelson;  amended  by  John  H.  Foster. 

Captain,  James  Wm.  Foster.  Second  Sergeant,  W.  Ben  Palmer  (promoted). 

First  Lieutenant,  Thomas  Turner  (killed).  Third  Sergeant,  John  E.  Rowzee. 

"  "  Wm.  L.  Hunter.  Fourth  Sergeant,  John  Thomas. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  H.  Nelson.  Fifth  Sergeant,  Edward  Rector. 

Third    Lieutenant,   George    H.   Whitescarver  First  Corporal,  Chas.  Davis. 

(killed).  Second  Corporal,  John  T.  Gulick. 

Third  Lieutenant,  Harry  Hatcher.  Third  Corporal,  Geo.  Skinner. 

First  Sergeant,  John  W.  Corbin.  Fourth  Corporal,  Walter  Whaley. 

PRIVATES. 

Adams,  Thomas  W.,  Brent,  James  R., 

Alexander,  David,  Brethod,  Isaac, 

Alexander,  John  H.,  Brewer,  Charles  W., 
Ames,   James   F.   ("  Big  Yankee,"   promoted,        Broadwater,  Guy  (promoted), 

killed),  Broadwater,  Richard  F., 

Anderson,  Wm.  A.,  Burke,  Thomas  T., 

Ayre,  Geo.  H.,  Campbell,  John  W., 

Bailey,  John  T.,  Carlisle,  D.  Grafton, 

Ballard,  John  N.,  Castleman,  John  R., 

Barnes,  John  H.,  Cocke,  Wm.  F., 

Barr,  Charles  N.,  Cockrill,  John  H., 

Barton  Benj.  (killed),  Coiner,  John  E., 

Beavers,  Fenton,  Coiner,  John  W., 

Berryman,  Frank  C.,  Craig,  F.  T., 

Belts,  Edward  R.,  Creel,  Eppa  H  , 

Bishop,  George,  Cromwell,  Wm., 

Bonnell,  Dallas,  Crosen,  Samuel  E., 

Bowie,  John  W.,  Crowley,  Barney, 

Boyd,  Henry  C.,  Cummings,  James  H., 

Brawner,  H.  N.,  Darden,  Francis  M. , 

Brawner,  Wm.  A.,  Davis,  John  B., 

532 


iMOSBY  S    RANGERS. 


533 


Davis,  Thomas  F., 

DeButts,  John  P., 

DeButts,  Richard  E., 

Donohoe,  Chailes, 

Dowell,  Peter  G., 

Dulany,  Daniel  F.  (killed), 

Eliason,  Thomas, 

Ellis,  James  W., 

Elzey,  Wm., 

Flannery,  M.  W.  (killed), 

Flynn,  Wm.  S., 

Foster,  John  H., 

Fox,  A.  G., 

Fox,  C.  A., 

Furr,  Dallas, 

Furr,  Thompson, 

Gaines,  David, 

Gessell,  Adolphus, 

Gibson,  Howard, 

Glascock,  Aquilla, 

Green,  John  W., 

Green,  T.  Nelson, 

Gulick,  George  M., 

Gunnell,  James  N., 

Hatcher,  R.  Welt, 

Hawling,  Charles  T., 

Heflin,  John  W., 

Heflin,  Wm.  A., 

Herrington,  Geo.  W., 

Hibbs,  Henry  C., 

Hibbs,  William  ("  Major  "), 

Hooe,  Robert  M., 

Hutchinson,  Lycurgus  E., 

Jackson,  Edgar  M., 

Jones,  David  L.  (killed), 

Knapp,  Ludwell, 

Lake,  James  Robert, 

Lake,  Ludwell, 

Lake,  Thomas  W., 

Lane,  Frank, 

Law,  David, 

Lynn,  John  T., 

Lyons,  James, 

McDaniel,  Mahlon  T., 

McDonough,  Charles, 

McLane,  Thomas, 

Maddux,  H.  C.  (."Cab"), 

Martin,  T., 

Mattocks,  Robert, 

Milier,  Thomas  F., 

Minor,  Albert  G., 

Moffet,  Daniel  J., 

Mohler,  Theodore, 

Moore,  S.  H., 

Moran,  Richard, 

Mosby,  William  H.  (promoted), 

Nelson,  Lucian  N., 

Newland,  Bushrod, 

Oden,  Archibald, 


Page,  John  P.  (promoted). 

Page,  Mortimer  M., 

Phillips,  Wm.  A., 

Pool,  Joshua, 

Presgraves,  Richard, 

Priest,  John  H., 

Prout,  John  B., 

Puryear,  John  W.  (promoted). 

Rector,  Thomas  B., 

Rector,  Welby  H.  (killed), 

Reed,  John  R., 

Richards,  Dulany, 

Rixey,  James  M., 

Robey,  Francis  E., 

Robinson,  John  D., 

Rogers,  Samuel  E., 

Rosson,  John  A., 

Rowzee,  Geo.  A., 

Rudd,  Royal  S., 

Rutter,  John  W., 

Shaw,  Christopher  C., 

Sherman,  R.  F., 

Silcott,  Braden  T  , 

Simpson,  Benjamin  ("Tobe"), 

Sinclair,  James  W., 

Sinclair,  John, 

Skeldon,  Nicholas  B.  (Buckholtz), 

Smallwood,  Henry  (killed), 

Smallwood,  John  L., 

Spindle,  Benjamin, 

Spitzer,  Charles  H., 

Stone,  William  R., 

Strother,  Francis  A., 

Strother,  James  M., 

Summers,  Geo.  W., 

Symons,  John  W., 

Thompson,  Edward, 

Thompson,  Wm.  B., 

Trammell,  Wm., 

Trammell,  B.  L., 

Trundle,  Wm.  H.  (promoted,  killed), 

Turberville,  Geo.  R.  L., 

Turley,  Richard, 

Underwood,  Bushrod, 

Underwood,  Samuel, 

Vandeventer,  J.  H., 

Waggaman,  Samuel, 

Walker,  George  C., 

Waller,  John  T.  (killed), 

Walls,  Wm.  A., 

Walston,  Wm.  B., 

Waters,  Hugh  T., 

Wilbourne,  Henry  A., 

Wild,  John  (killed), 

Williams,  Sewell, 

Williamson,  James  J., 

Wilson,  J.  T., 

Wilson,  Stephen  H., 

Woolf,  Francis  M., 

Yellott,  George. 


534 


APPENDIX. 


COMPANY  B. 

Have  been  unable  to  find  any  roll  of  this  Company:    the  names  here  given  are  with  the 
assistance  of  Mr.  John  H.  Foster. 

Captain,  William  R.  Smith  (killed).  Third  Lieutenant,  Robert  Gray. 

Adolphus  E.  Richards  (promoted).  First  Sergeant,  Horace  Johnson. 

"        Robert  S.  Walker.  Second  Sergeant,  James  W.  Wrenn. 

First  Lieutenant,  Franklin  Williams.  Third  Sergeant,  Dorsey  Warfield. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Albert  Wrenn. 


PRIVATES. 


Adrian,  J.  M., 

Alexander,  Doctor, 

Alexander,  John, 

Alexander,  Samuel, 

Anderson,  Ed., 

Ashby,  Henry  S., 

Barber,  Slice, 

Belvin,  W.  D., 

Bowen,  A.  J., 

Bowen,  Fred    F., 

Bowen,  James, 

Brown,  L., 

Browning,  Lafayette, 

Browning,  Thomas  E., 

Buckner,  Richard  P., 

Chappalear,  J.  Pendleton  (killed;. 

Chew,  John  A., 

Colston,  William  E.  (killed), 

Crawford,  J.  Marshall, 

Crawford,  Robert, 

Darden,  Dennis, 

Downing,  J.  A., 

Eastham,  Philip  B., 

Edmonds,  Clem., 

Edmonds,  John  C., 

Edmunds,  Henry, 

Embrey,  William  M.  (killed), 

Farr,  Resin  S., 

Farr,  Richard, 

Ferguson,  SydnorG., 

Fitzhugh,  Champ, 

Fristoe,  French, 

Gillespie,  John, 

Gray,  Charles  Henry, 

Gray,  James  A., 

Hammond,  J.  W., 

Hamner,  "  Captain," 

Harrison,  Henry  H., 

Harrover,  Robert  M., 

Hudgins, (killed), 

Hurst,  Edward. 
Johnson,  Frank  ("Zoo"), 


Johnson,  James  M., 

Kennon,  "  Captain  "  George  S.. 

Lambert,  Charles, 

Lavender,  J., 

Lee,  Philip, 

McKay,  Thomas  B., 

McKim, (killed), 

Mallory, (killed), 

Mason,  Charles  (killed), 
Milholland.A.  V., 
Munson,  John  W.,  (dead), 

Northcraft, (from  Balto.). 

Ogg,  Thomas  J., 

Orrick,  John  C., 

Owen,  Joseph  W., 

Pitts,  J.  Emery, 

Renner,  J.  S., 

Renner,  J.  W., 

Robinson,  "Captain," 

Seay,  Thomas  R., 

Sedgwick,  Frank, 

Settle,  Albert, 

Shaw,  Harry, 

Shriver,  Chas.  Eltinge  (killed), 

Sinnott,  Harry  T., 

Smith,  Edward  (killed), 

Spindle,  Robert, 

Spinkx, , 

Stinson, , 

Stratton.  Dr.  T.  Emmett, 
Strother,  Alfred, 
Sweeting,  B.  H.  (Harry), 
Triplett,  Geo.  W., 
Triplett,  Richard, 
Tyler,  Charles, 
Walter,  Henry  S., 
White,  Hugh  W., 
Wilson,  Jeremiah  DeBell, 
Withers,  Henry  M., 
Withers,  John. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


535 


COMPANY    C. 

Roll  furnished  by  John  S.  Russell,  Lieutenant  commanding. 


Captain,  William  H.  Chapman  (promoted). 
First  Lieutenant,  A.  E    Richards  (promoted). 
Second  Lieutenant,  Frank  Fox  (killed). 
Third  Lieutenant,  Frank  W.  Yager. 
Lieutenant  Commanding,  John  S.  Russell. 
First  Sergeant,  C.  Bohrer  (killed). 

Charles  Landon  Hall. 
Second  Sergeant,  Charles  Whiting. 


Third  Sergeant,  L.  A.  Corbin. 
Fourth  Sergeant,  B.  Grove. 

"  "          W.  T.  Biedler. 

Fifth  Sergeant,  C.  C.  Horseford. 
First  Corporal,  Wm.  Jackson. 
Second  Corporal,  P.  A.  Davis. 
Third  Corporal,  S.  B.  Triplett. 
Fourth  Corporal,  A.  J.  Hobson. 


PRIVATES. 


Adams,  H.  C., 
Anderson,  Peyton, 
Anderson,  G.  W., 
Angelo,  Frank  M., 
Atwell,  Ewell  B., 
Atwell,  W.  H., 
Ayler,  F.  F., 
Ayler,  J.  M., 
Ball,  B.  F., 
Balthrope,  G.  R., 
Bartenstein,  A.  R., 
Baylor,  R.  W., 
Bear,  Charles  A., 
Beckham,  John  G., 
Bickers,  J.  M., 
Biedler,  A.  J., 
Biedler,  Charles  E., 
Botts,  John  F.. 
Bowen,  C.  O., 
Boxley,  E.  S., 
Boyd.  H., 
Bramham,  N. 
Brumback,  E.  T., 
Burnley,  J.  N., 
Calvert,  J.  C., 
Carr,  Richard, 
Carver,  Joseph  M., 
Chelf,  C.  F., 
Chuning,  B.  F., 
Chuning,  W.  S., 
Coiner,  Cornelius  J., 
Compton,  J.  C., 
Conrad,  G.  W., 
Conrad,  M.  O., 
Crable,  M.  O., 
Crigler,  W.  G., 
Cunningham,  G., 
Davis,  Frank  C., 
Dearmont,  Washington, 
Dent,  George, 
Divine,  William, 
Douglas,  L.  P., 
Elzey,  Robert, 


Finley,  George, 
Fish,  C.  W., 
Fletcher,  Benton, 
Fletcher,  R.  V.  W., 
Fletcher,  W.  H., 
Fleury,  Wm., 
Flint,  James  A., 
Ford,  John,  Jr., 
Ford,  John,  Sr., 
Forrer,  E.  F., 
Forrer,  Judah, 
Garrison,  W.  H., 
Garth,  James  H. 
Garth,  John  \.   , 
Gibson,  John  T., 
Gray,  Thaddeus, 
Gunnell,  George  W., 
Guthrie,  Samuel, 
Hansford,  C.  C., 
Harden,  F.  M., 
Harn,  C.  T., 
Harrell,  J.  C., 
Harrell,  M.  D., 
Hays,  T.  M., 
Hearn,  John, 
Heflebower,  John  N., 
Heflin.  Robert, 
Herning,  C.  M., 
Henry   W., 
Henson,  S.  P., 
Hickes,  S.  P., 
Hipkins,  Fred.  S., 
Hiter,  P.  M., 
Hutchinson,  Lewis, 
Iden,  Ben., 
Jackson,  R.  A., 
Johnson,  Wm., 
Jones,  C.  S., 
Judd,  James, 
Kinsey,  G.  T., 
Kinsey,  G.  W., 
Kirby,  J.  R., 
Kinvin,  John, 


536 


APPENDIX. 


Kite,  Charles, 

Kite,  Martin, 

Laws,  J.  L., 

Legg,  James  E., 

Leonard,  D.  E., 

Lewis,  J.  B., 

Lintz,  W.  F., 

Lofland,  G.  S., 

Luckett,  S.  T., 

McCue,  John  B., 

McKim,  Allan, 

Macoy,  B.  C., 

Marcellus,  J.  H., 

Marshall,  G.  R., 

Marshall,  J.  R., 

Massie,  G.  W., 

Massie,  H.  L., 

Miller,  J.  M., 

Morecock,  W.  H.  E., 

Nunn,  John  W., 

Orrick,  John  C.,  (G.  W.  Arrington), 

Overfield,  Marshall, 

Patteson,  A.  Lee, 

Patteson,  Wm.  W., 

Pearson,  Craven, 

Pearson,  H.  C., 

Pearson,  John, 

Pearson,  Taylor, 

Pendleton,  C.  H., 

Perry,  J.  Taylor, 

Phillips,  John, 

Printz,  Isabeus, 

Redwin,  John, 

Rice,  Thomas, 

Richards,  A.  J., 

Richards,  Henry, 

Richardson,  J.  R., 

Richardson,  M.  L., 

Richeson,  A.  J., 

Ritter,  David  H., 

Robertson,  W.  H., 


Robinson,  Monroe, 
Russell,  John  W., 
Russell,  H.  C., 
Sanford,  E.  L., 
Shacklett,  Edward, 
Shaw,  Jackson, 
Sinclair,  J.  M., 
Smith,  J.  M., 
Smith,  J.  P., 
Smith,  R.  C., 
Spencer,  J.  M., 
Starke,  James, 
Starke.J.  T., 
Storke,  J.  E., 
Taylor,  George, 
Thompson,  Thomas  J., 
Throop,  Thomas, 
Trenairy,  J.  S., 
Triplett,  B.  Addison, 
Triplett,  L.  B., 
Vest,  C.  B., 
Vest,  Thomas, 
Vorus,  Jacob, 
Walker,  C.  H., 
Walker,  C.  S., 
Walker,  J.  M., 
Ward,  Jerry, 
Wayman,  E.  F., 
Wayman,  J.  M., 
Welch,  W.  R., 
Whitescarvei,  ^.  _  ., 
Whitlow,  A.  J., 
Willis,  A.  C., 
Wilson,  A.  S., 
Wines,  A.  L., 
Wines,  G.  S., 
Wines,  T.  S., 
Woodward,  W., 
Yager,  Charles  M., 
Yowell,  James. 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


537 


COMPANY  D. 

The  greater  part   of  this   list   was  furnished  by  Charles  H.  Dear \  John  H.  Foster  ,  Zach.  F, 
Jones,  J.  S.  Mason  and  John  A,  Saunders. 


Captain,  R.  P.  Mont  joy  (killed). 

Alfred  Glascock. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  E.  Grogan. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Magner. 


Adie,  Lewis  (killed), 
Aldridge,  J.  West, 
Anderson,  Boswell  P., 
Anderson,  Thomas  E .  (killed), 
Atkins,  John  (killed), 
Baker,  T.  R., 
Beal,  John  T., 
Beal,  Joseph  R  , 
Best,  Richard, 
Binford,  Ballard  W., 
Binford,  Wirt  M.  (killed), 
Bispham.  S.  B. 

Blanchard, , 

Boiling,  Bartlett, 

Boiling,  John, 

Brander,  William, 

Braxton,  Wm.  Armstead  (kiHeJ\ 

Bredell,  Edward  (killed), 

Brock,  George  Wallen, 

Brock,  Harry, 

Brooke,  William  T., 

Brown (of  Maryland), 

Bryan,  Joseph, 

Burk (killed), 

Campbell,  Joseph, 
Carr,  Upshur, 
Carrington,  Luther  (killed), 
Carter,  Thomas, 
Chamblin,  H.  Clay, 
Chancellor,  James  M., 

Cheatwood, , 

Chew,  John  A., 
Chew,  Robert. 
Chilton,  James  V  , 
Christian,  E.  W  , 
Coakley,  James, 
Cochran,  Frank, 
Copley,  James, 
Core,  John  H., 
Darneille,  Philip  A., 
Dear,  Charles  H., 
Dear,  H.  Clay, 
Dear,  J.  Wm., 
Delaplane,  J., 
Dorsey,  Charles, 
Dorsey,  Harry, 


Third  Lieutenant,  Wm.  H.  Trundle  (killed). 
"  David  S.  Briscoe. 

(Commanding  at  close  of  War). 


PRIVATES. 


Dorsey,  Pugh, 

Dorsey,  Reuben, 

Dunning,  John. 

Dunnington,  Charles  A., 

Eastham,  Robert  W.  <"  Bob  Ridley"), 

Flack,  Thomas  (killed), 

Foy,  Joseph, 

Frere,  George, 

Gibbs,  Willie  A.  (killed), 

Gibson,  Henry  C., 

Gill,  George  Murray,  (killed). 

Gill,  John, 

Gipson,  Edwin, 

Goldsborough,  Charles, 

Gray,  John, 

Grayson,  Robert, 

Griffin,  Joseph, 

Harris,  H.  G  , 

Heaton,  Henry, 

Heaton,  Tiny, 

Heiskell,  J.  Monroe, 

Homer,  Gus  B., 

Hoyle,  George, 

Hough,  Gresham, 

Hunton,  Ernest, 

Hunton,  John  W., 

Jarboe,  William, 

Jarman,  Henry, 

Jarvis,  B.  F., 

Johnson,  Edward, 

Jones,  Philip, 

Jones,  Zach.  F., 

Jordan,  H.  C., 

Kane,  James  C., 

Kane,  John  C., 

Keith,  James  (killed), 

Kennerley,  Frank, 

Keblinger,  C., 

Keblinger,  Wilber, 

Lambert,  M.  W., 

Larrabee,  Harrison  C., 

Llewellyn,  John  A., 

Love,  Lucian  (killed), 

Love,  Thomas  R., 

Low,  Josiah, 

Lowndes,  James, 

McBlair, , 

McCobb, (killed), 


538 


APPENDIX. 


Mclntosh,  C  , 
Mackall,  R.  M., 
Manning  ("  Captain "'), 
Mason,  J.  S., 
Mason,  Landon  R., 
Massie,  J.  R., 
Mercer,  Corbin  W., 
Millan,  Joseph  C., 
Miller,  James  N., 

Mitchell,  , 

Moon,  Jacob  L.f 

Moon,  James  M. 

Moss,  Thomas, 

Neal,  D., 

Nott,  Andrew  H., 

Nott,  Roger, 

Nottingham,  John  J., 

Nottingham,  Tobe, 

O'Brien,  E.  H., 

Overby.  William  Thomas  (killed), 

Pattie,  H.  W., 

Randolph,  John, 

Ratdiffe, , 

Read,  J.  W., 
RiggS  Joshua, 


Riley,  P.  O., 

Robertson, , 

Robinson,  Claiborne, 
Rogers,  S.  E., 
Saunders,  J^hn  A., 
Saunders,  Thomas, 
Saunders,  William  E., 
Sealock,  Thomas, 

Shields, (killed), 

Slater,  Henry, 

Smith,  J.  Henley, 

Smith,  Philip, 

Sowers,  Dr.  J.  R., 

Staton,  W.  W., 

Steele,  Billings, 

Thomas,  W.  P., 

Tongue,  Wm., 

Vandeventer,  William, 

Ware,  Felix  H  , 

Weir,  W.  B  , 

White,  John  W., 

Williams,  J.  F., 

Wooden,  Peter, 

Woodhouse,  W.  W. 

Wright,  D.  Giraud, 

Yates  Francis  Marion  (killed). 


COMPANY  E. 

Copy  of  original  Muster  Roll  furnished  by  Lieutenant  ^V.  Ben  Palmer. 

Muster  Roll  of  Captain  Samuel  F.  Chapman,  Company  E,  of  the  43d  Battalion  Virginia  Cav 
alry,  Army  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  S.  Mosby,  from  the 
28th  day  of  July,  1864,  when  last  mustered,  to  the  3ist  day  of  August,  1864. 


Captain,  Samuel  F.  Chapman. 
First  Lieutenant,  Fountain  Beattie. 
Second  Lieutenant,  W.  Ben  Palmer. 
Third  Lieutenant,  William  Martin  (killed). 

"  Channing  M.  Smith. 

First  Sergeant,  Boyd  M.  Smith. 
Second  Sergeant.  T.  Benton  Shipley. 


Third  Sergeant,  Edgar  Davis  (killed). 
Fourth  Sergeant,  Thomas  Booker. 
First  Corporal,  George  L.  Revercomb. 
Second  Corporal,  Wm.  Davis. 
Third  Corporal,  Henry  R.  Moore. 
Fourth  Corporal,  Daniel  M.  Mason. 


PRIVATES. 


Armstrong,  S.  R., 
Ashby,  John, 
Ball,  A.  P., 
Bayne,  Richard  B., 
Bell,  J.  W., 
Boiling,  Samuel, 
Boiling,  W.  A., 
Brady,  A.  R., 
Brown,  L.  B., 
Brown,  R.. 


Burgess,  Moses, 
Burke,  John  C., 
Butler,  J.  F., 
Butler,  O.  L., 
Carey,  Alex., 
Carpenter,  T.  A.,  (killed), 
Coleman,  W.  A., 
Colvin,  J.  B., 
Coons,  F.  A., 


MOSBY  S   RANGERS. 


539 


Coons,  J.  W., 
Copenhaver,  G.  W., 
Cox,  J.  E., 
Davis,  Americus, 
Davis,  L.  Morgan, 
Dennis,  C.  H., 
Dennis,  W.  F., 
Detherage,  R., 
Dickson,  John  T., 
Downing,  W.  H., 
Edwards,  Wm.  H., 
Faulkner,  J.  F., 
Faulkner,  W.  W., 
Flinn,  R.  R., 
Flippo,  A.  C., 
Floweree,  S.  C., 
Flynn,  J.  F., 
Flynn,  Robert  N., 
Flynn.  William, 
Foreman,  P.  G., 
Forrest,  J.  J., 
Gentry,  I.  A., 
Gibson,  S  , 
Greg,  H.  W., 
Hall,  S., 
Hazlett,  M  , 
Heflin,  H.  W., 
Horsley,  John  D., 
Howison,  Lee, 
Inloes,  A., 
Jarman,  Robert, 
Jones,  F.  J., 
Kirkpatrick,  E., 
Latham,  Thomas  R., 
Lawrence,  J.  M., 
Lyttleton,  J., 
McCourt,  C.  A., 
Mclntosh,  J.  P., 
McLane,  T., 
Maclay,  Thomas, 
Majors,  J.  B., 
Majors,  L.  C., 
Metcalfe,  S.  G., 
Miller,  T.  A., 
Milton,  J., 


Monroe,  S.  L., 
Myers,  J.  J., 
Nails,  Benoni  F., 
Nails,  E., 
Nails,  J.  P., 
Newcomb,  O.  S., 
O'Bannon,  G.  M., 
Pendleton,  C.  Mason, 
Picket,  George  K., 
Picket,  James  E., 
Poston,  H.  A., 
Ramey,  J.  M., 
Ramey,  L.  W., 
Randolph,  Norman  V., 
Reardon,  Louis, 
Reardon,  P.  J., 
Reavercomb,  P.  N., 
Redd,  P.  D., 
Robinson,  D.  F., 
Robinson,  W.  H., 
Robson,  O., 
Rutter,  H., 
Seaton,  J.  J., 
Shackleford,  Durand, 
Shackleford,  Elzey  D., 
Sheafer,  George, 
Sheppard,  J.  W. 
Simpson.  J., 
Slater,  George  M., 
Smith,  J.  P., 
Smith,  R.  T., 
Stanley,  Howard, 
Sutton,  Wm., 
Terry,  R.  Stockton, 
Utz,  John  C., 
Vaughn,  F.  D., 
Walker,  J., 
Walker,  J.  P., 
Walker,  L.  F., 
Watkins,  J.  R., 
Weaver,  James  W., 
Welch,  Wm., 
Wood,  H.  K., 
Woodward,  L.  E. 


540 


APPENDIX. 


COMPANY  F. 

Muster  Roll   Company  F,  U3d  Battalion   Virginia  Cavalry,  C.  S.  A.,  or  Mosby 's  Battalion, 
1861t-65.     Furnished  by  Capt.  Walter  E.  Frank:and. 


Captain,  Walter  E.  Frankland. 
First  Lieutenant,  Walter  Bowie  (killed). 
Second  Lieutenant,  James  F.  Ames  (killed). 
Third  Lieutenant,  J.  Frank  Turner. 
First  Sergeant,  H.  M.  Mcllhany. 
Second  Sergeant,  Robert  B.  Parrott. 
Third  Sergeant,  Thomas  A.  Russell. 


Fourth  Sergeant,  John  J.  Williams. 
Fifth  Sergeant,  James  P.  Triplett. 
First  Corporal,  Charles  W.  Harris. 
Second  Corporal,  James  E.  Haney. 
Third  Corporal,  Benj.  R.  Cowherd. 
Fourth  Corporal,  John  L.  Schackleford. 


PRIVATES. 


Alexander,  B.  R., 
Austin,  George  B., 
Baggasby,  J., 
Bankhead,  Charles  L., 
Barker.,  John  L., 
Barker,  L.  A., 
Bayne,  John  C., 
Bayne,  Washington, 
Broadus,  Wm.  S  , 
Brooks,  Charles, 
Brown,  Joseph  D., 
Brown,  Tkomas  R., 
Burgess,  Alex  , 
Burke,  Arthur, 
Burton,  H., 
Cahill,  John  J., 
Carter,  Isaiah, 
Chandler,  Henry  H., 
Chase,  Irvin  K., 
Clarke,  John  J., 
Cockrell,  Wm., 
Conner,  F.  M., 
Coode,  Demetrius, 
Cooksey,  Morgan, 
Corder,  Butler, 
Crawford,  George  Wm., 
Crow,  T.  W., 
Crook,  Robert  N., 
Crum,  C.  A., 
Crutchfield,  Edgar  M., 
Culbreth,  John, 
Daniel,  Peter  M., 
Danne,  Charles, 
Davis,  Alexander, 
Dawson,  Reuben, 

Deems, , 

Dunnaway,  Roger  W., 
Dunton,  King  Agrippa, 
Eastham,  Bird, 
Eubank,  Frederick  D  , 
Flynn,  Robert  N., 
Franklin,  Benjamin, 
Gaskins,  Hezek.ah, 


Gayle,  J.  P., 
Gayle,  Mordecai  J  , 
Gayle,  Thomas  B  , 
Goddin,  I.  H., 
Gooch,  James  J., 
Goodall,  Abner, 
Gooding,  Lewis  E., 
Gore,  Jesse  P., 
Gresham,  James  R., 
Griffith,  John  B., 
Hill,  Francis  L., 
Hockman,  Noah, 
Hopkins,  H.  H., 
Howard,  Reuben  F., 
Hunton,  Isaiah, 
Imboden,  Jacob, 
Jennings,  Matthew, 
Johnson,  C.  W., 
Jones,  A.  H., 
Jones,  Montgomery  A. 
Kelley,  John  C., 
Keyseear,  Hugh  P., 
Kite,  James  P., 
Kite,  Thomas  O., 
Knott,  Richard, 
Lacy,  M.  P., 
Landrum,  Willis  J., 
Leach,  Thornton  V., 
Leavell,  Edmund  G., 
Lee,  Clifton, 
Limbrick,  J.  W., 
Lowe,  Daniel  W., 
Lucas,  Fielding, 
McKenney,  John, 
Manley,  Wm.  L., 
Melton,  J.  M., 
Meredith,  S.  E., 
Miller,  Oscar  D., 
Myers,  Eleamander, 
Norris,  Williamson, 
Parr,  Thomas, 
Payne,  John  R., 
Peebles,  James  A., 


MOSBY'S   RANGERS.  54 r 


Porter,  John  J.,  Smith,  Edward  T., 

Powell,  H.  F.,  Smoot,  J.  G., 

Powell,  Rupert  R.,  Sours,  W.  S  , 

Priest,  George  H.,  Spottswood,  F., 

Prince,  John  W.,  Strother,  James  W., 

Pritchard,  John  T.,  Swan,  Baynard, 

Reeves,  David,  Taylor,  William, 

Reiley,  Thomas  H.,  Thomas,  Daniel  L., 

Ricketts,  John  E.,  Thompson,  Alfred, 

Ridgeley,  T.  R.,  Towles,  E.  M., 

Rollins,  Sanders  B.,  Travis,  Alonzo, 

Rosan, ,  Viers,  Charles  O., 

Royston,  John  W.,  Walker,  Chas.  P., 

Scott,  Robert,  Wayman,  N.  B., 

Scurry,  Matthew  V.,  Weems,  G.  W., 

Silman,  James  A.,  Wheatley,  John  W., 

Silman,  John  A.,  Winzelle,  A.  F., 

Sinclair,  John  C.,  Yerby,  Wm   M. 


COMPANY  G. 

Names  chiefly  furnished  by  John  H.  Foster,  PI.  G.  Harris  and  Lieutenant  John  N.  Murphy. 

Captain,  Thomas  W.  T.  Richards.  Second  Lieutenant,  W.  Garland  Smich. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  N.  Murphy.  Third  Lieutenant,  John  W.  Puryear. 

IIclVATES. 

Anderson,  Wm.  C.,  Dorrity,  J.  W., 

Armstrong,  J.  A.,  Follin,  Ira, 

Bainbridge,  A.  R.,  Garnett, , 

Barr,  H.,  Golding,  T.  R., 

Bayne,H.  T.,  Golding, W., 

Bencke,  JohnH.,  Grey,  Alfred, 

Birney, ,  Griffin,  G.  C., 

Bradshaw, ,  Hackley,  George, 

Brown,  F.  S.,  Hardwick,  G.  B., 

Burgess,  M.  M.,  Hogg,  , 

Caldwell,  C.  E.,  Hopkins,  J.  E., 

Carr,  Lawrence,  Homer,  R.  C., 

Carroll, ,  Homes,  Thomas, 

Claggett,  Johnson,  Houdershell,  Rufus  A., 

Clark,  Joseph  B.,  Hughes, , 

Claybrook,  F.  W.,  Hume  (Lieut.), 

Cloyd,  ,  Huntt,  Lewis, 

Crabbe,  George,  Huntt,  G.  W., 

Crews,  ,  Hutchinson,  J    R., 

Cross,  Charles,  Jackson,  W.  E.,, 

Cummings,  G.  W.,  Jett,  Lucius  Leland, 

Dealman,  ,  Jett,  William, 

Dickell,  C.,  Johnson,  James, 
Dishman,  S.,  Kennedy,  Thomas, 


542  APPENDIX. 

Kennedy,  W.  H.,  Perron,  S., 

Kephart,  J.  R.,  Price,  C.  D., 

Kerrick,  John  R.,  Prosser,  R.  Hylton, 

King,  Thomas,  Reamy,  Ashton, 

Legg,  James  L.  Reamy,  Robert, 

McDonald,  James,  Renwick,  J., 

Marchant,  John  A.,  Riddick,  C., 

Marmaduke,  M.  W.  Ridgeway, 

Menefee,  H.  S.,  Rixey,  R., 

Mitchell,  James  Jackson,  Shumate,  B.  J., 

Moyo,  Wm.%  Sidnor,  G., 

Murphy,  R.  W.,  Skillman,  Samuel, 

Muse,  John,  Smoot,  W.  F., 

Musser,  Wm.  H.,  Talliafero,  L., 

Newbil, ,  Thomas,  Robert, 

Newell,  ,  Thompson,  Gilbert, 

Norfolk,  George,  Turner,  John  W., 

O'Brien,  John,  Washington,  G., 

O'Neil,  John,  Wheelwright,   , 

Orrison,  Robert,  White,  John  W  , 

Parker,  J.  H.,  Wiltshire,  Charles, 

Parrow, ,  Winder, , 

Perron,  ,  Lieut.,  Yerby,  Albert. 


COMPANY  H. 

This  list  is  very  imperfect,  as  the  Company  'was  organized  but  a  feiv  days  before  the  surren 
der.  Many  of  the  names  are  no  doubt  included  in  the  rolls  of  the  other  companies.  Most 
of  Capt.  J.  C.  Kincheloe'' s  men  (Capt.  Brawners  old  company)  ivere  transferred  to 
Company  H,  and  Mr.  W.  S.  Kincheloe  furnished  a  list  of  these. 

Captain,  George  Baylor.  Third  Lieutenant,  B.  Frank  Carter. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edward  F.  Thomson.  First  Sergeant,  David  G.  Mohler. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  G.  Wiltshire. 

PRIVATES. 

Anderson,  Isaac,  Kiddi  Thomas, 

Bell, ,  Kincheloe,  J.  C., 

Brawner,  Richard,  Kincheloe,  Redmond, 

Butler,  Charles,  Kincheloe,  W.  S., 

Butler,  W.  B.,  Kincheloe,  W.  W., 

Cole,  E.  D.,  Lynn)  Albert, 

Cornwell,  George,  Lynn,  Benjamin, 

Cornwell,  J.  L.,  Lynn,  Shirley, 

Cornwell,  R.  H.,  McVey,  Richard, 

Davis,  George,  Maddox,  L., 

Davis,  H.  E.,  Owen,  M.  B., 

Davis,  J.  P.,  Raney,  Wm., 

Davis,  W.  D.,  Ransom,  B.  B., 

Dowell,  Thaddeus,  Richardson,  G.  H  , 

Fairfax,  Thomas,  Stone,  J.  E., 

Fairfax,  Wellington,  Spittle,  Lewis, 

Gosden.  Walter  W.,  Spittle,  W.  Randolph, 

Harney,  Thomas  F.,  Tansill,  W.  W., 

Hefflebower,  Edward  Tillett,  John  R., 

Helm,  Frank,  Utterback,  B.  D., 

Hipkins,  John,  Vande vender, , 

Jones,  H.  C.,  Young,  Lewis. 
Kerfoot,  Howard, 


APPENDIX.  543 


ARTILLERY  COMPANY. 

In  some  instances  names  of  men  attached  to  the  Artillery  Company  may  also  be 
found  on  rolls  of  other  companies.  The  reason  is  tliis:  The  artillery  was  composed 
of  men  taken  from  the  different  companies  then  organised,  and  when  the  artillery 
was  disbanded,  the  members  -were  transferred  to  other  companies,  principally  Com 
pany  G.  The  names  here  given  were  mostly  furnished  by  John  L.  Aylor,  John  F. 
Lynn  and  Ben  Thrift. 

Captain,   Peter  A.    Franklin.  Third  Lieutenant,   Frank   H.    Rahm. 

First  Lieutenant,   John   J.    Fray.  First  Sergeant,  A.  G.   Babcock. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John   P.    Page. 

Aylor,   John  L.,  Larry, 

Blanchard,  Harris  C,  Love,  Lucien    (killed), 

Bradshaw,  Lynn,  John   F.   ("Dadge"), 

Fugitt,  Gus,  Manyott,   Ed., 

Geschky,   Frank    ("Zoo"),  Pontier,    Nathaniel    (Balto), 

Green,    Matt.,  Rhodes,  Henry  C.    (killed), 

Hitt,  Burgess,  Shields, 

Hitt,   Wallace,  Smith,   David  L., 

Horner,   Robert  C.,  Snead,   Edwin   B., 

Jones,   E.   M.,  Thrift,    Ben., 

Kerrick,  John   R.f  Wharton,  A.   G. 


INDEX 


Company  A. — Organized,  69;  Seneca, 
Md.,  69;  in  Pennsylvania,  79;  Meade 
in  Loudoun,  80  et  seq. ;  Gooding's 
Tavern,  87  et  seq.;  Carter's  Run,  91, 
92;  Bealeton,  108,  109;  Brandy  Sta 
tion,  in  et  seq.;  Loudoun  Heights, 
124  et  seq.;  picketing  roads,  133; 
Dranesville,  142  et  seq.;  155,  174,  175, 
177;  Charlestown,  178  et  seq.;  Point 
of  Rocks,  184  et  seq.;  Mt.  Zion,  187 
et  seq.;  194;  Adamstown,  198  et  seq.; 
204,  206;  Berryville,  207  et  seq.;  213, 
216;  Myers'  Ford,  226  et  seq.;  Salem, 
251;  269,  270,  284;  Kabletown,  302 
et  seq.;  Hamilton  (Harmony),  356 
et  seq.;  Sergt.  Corbin,  the  only  officer 
left  in  Company  A — all  the  others 
killed,  wounded  or  captured,  359;  366. 

Abercrombie,   Gen.  John  J.,    59,   60. 

Adams,    Clay,    225. 

Adams,    Thomas,    285. 

Adamstown,    198,    264   et    seq.;    416. 

Adie,    Lewis,    209. 

Albright,  Col.  Charles,  267;  Arundels, 
367  et  seq. 

Aldie,    31,    34,    7L    *57.    222,   234. 

Aldridge,   J.    West,    380. 

Alexander,  John  H.,  199  et  seq.;  307 
et  seq.;  466  et  seq.;  495. 

Alexander,    Sam,    348. 

Alexandria,    99;    Reunion,    495. 

Alger,    Col.    Russell    A.,   214. 

Alms  House,   322. 

Ames,  Lieut.  James  F.,  28  et  seq.;  33 
et  seq.;  80;  lieutenant,  231;  killed, 
255,  404. 

Amory,   Lieut.    Charles   W.,    190. 

Anderson,    Captain,    268. 

Anderson,    Gen.    R.    H.,    223. 

Anderson,    Ed.,    251. 

Anderson,    Thomas    E.,    240. 

Angelo,    Frank    M.,  224,   310,    311. 

Anker's    Shop,    141. 

Annandale,   218  et  seq.;    270. 

Annapolis,    256. 

Appendix.      See    Index,    p.    511. 

Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  74,  80,  365, 
374,  376,  377- 

Artillery  Company. — Organized,  197,  201, 
204;  Berryville,  208,  209;  Annandale, 
218  et  sen.  250  et  seq.;  captured,  266 
et  sei.;  disbanded,  313. 

Arundel's,    367   et  seq. 

Ashby,    Albert,    275. 

Ashby,    Henry    S.,    114,    118,    137. 

Ashby  Jamieson,    136,    275. 

Ashby,    Samuel,    275. 

Ashby.   Wirt,   303. 

Ashby's  Gap,  75,  138;  Big  Poplar,  193; 
236,  255,  292,  299,  316,  321,  322,  325; 
Mt.  Carmel,  345,  348,  349. 

Atkins,   John,    285,   286. 

Atwell,    Ewell,    159. 

Auburn,    93,     104. 

Auer,   Capt.    Michael,    170. 

Augur,  Gen.  C.  C.,  221,  223;  Manassas 
Gap  R.  R.,  247,  248,  250,  254,  257, 
269,  270,  271,  273,  275,  286,  320,  371, 
377,  449. 


Averell,   Gen.    Wm.   W.,   212. 
Aylor,  John  L.,   266. 
Ayre,   George   H.,    140,    160. 
Ayre,    George    S.,    61,    75,    316. 
Ayre,   William,    79. 

Company     B. — Organized,     94;     99,     100; 

Bealeton,     108,     109;     Dranesville,     142 

et   seq.;    A.    E.    Richards,   captain,    158; 

174,     175,     177;     Duffield    Station,     178, 

182;     Point    of    Rocks,     184,     185;     Mt. 

Zion,    187   et   seq.;    194,   198;   Berryville, 

208   et   seq.;   213;    Myers'   Ford,    266   et 

seq.;      Salem,      251;      269,      270,      28?; 

Kabletown,     302     et     sen.;     Robert     S. 

Walker,    captain,    328,    366. 
Babcock,     Sergt.     A.     G.,    208,    266,     267, 

268. 

Baggasby,    J.    D.,    290. 
Baker,     Lieut.     Fayette,     152,     343,     347, 

349- 

Baker,    Col.    Lafayette    C.,    101,    421. 
Baker's    Rangers,    100,    101. 
Ballard,     John     N.,     69;     E  well's    Chapel, 

77  et  seq. 
Baltimore   &    Ohio    R.    R.,   260,    263,    264, 

265,    340. 

Barker,    Capt.,    39,   43. 
Barker,   Lieut.    Elmer,   66,   67,  68. 
Barnes,   John   H.,    14,    100,    101,   436. 
Bartram    Mr.,    245,    248. 
Baylor,     Capt.     George     (Capt.     Co.     H), 

363,    364;    Arundel's,    366    et    seq. 
Bealeton    Station,   92,    107    et   seq. 
Bean,    Captain,    59. 
Beardsley's    Report    of    Attack    on    Train, 

431. 
Beattie,  Lieut.   Fountain,  67,  85,  87,    127, 

128,    151;    Lieut.    Co.    E,    197,   241,   242, 

337,    44i,    495- 
Beaver    Dam,    16. 
Beavers,    Fenton,    427. 
Beemer's   Woods,   294. 
Belle    Plain,    164,    165,    413. 
Benton's    Ford,    81. 
Berry's    Ferry,    300,    310,    325. 
Berryville,    206    et    seq.;     223,    292,    293, 

298,     366,     417;      Testimony     of     Capt. 

Mann  before    Board  of   Inquiry,   4^4. 
Biedler,    Charles    E.,    326. 
Big    Poplar,    193. 
"Big     Yankee,"      see     Lieut.     James     F. 

Ames. 

Binford,    Wirt   M.,    358. 
Binns,    Charles,    no,    in,    116,    142,    145. 
Birch,    Almond,    71,    72. 
Fird,    Colorel,    355,    359. 
Birdsall,    Major   John,    271,    335. 
Black   Flag,   The,   295   et   seq. 
Black    Horse    Cavalry,    17,    54,   88,    226. 
Blackwell,     Joseph,     222,     245,     250,     254, 

328,    330. 

Blakeley's   Grove,    62,    63,    139,    141. 
Blazer,      Capt.      Richard,      Myers'      Ford, 

226    et    seq.;    300    et    seq.;    Kabletown, 

302    et    seq. 

Bliss,    Capt.    James,   236. 
r.loomfield,    140,    141,   263,   269,   280,    302, 

340,    359. 


544 


INDEX. 


545 


Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  18,  no,  223,  234, 

317   et  seq. ;   336. 

"Bob"    Ridley.     See    Robt.    W.    Eastham. 
Bohrer,    C.,    iQ4. 

Boiling,   Bartlett,   137,   340,  341,  361,  362. 
Boiling,    John,    137,    152. 
Bonham,    Colonel,    361. 
Bounds    of    Mosby's    Confederacy,    175. 
Boundary    of    the    district    "laid    waste," 

as      given      in      Sheridan's      orders      to 

Merritt,   319. 
Bowie,   Lieut.    Walter,   48;   Lieut.    Co.    F, 

231;    256. 
Boyd,  Lieut.,  62. 
Boyle,    Major    Cornelius,    299. 
Bradbury,   Lieut.    Albert,    138. 
Brandy   Station,    in    et   seq.;    162. 
Brawner,    H.    N.,    134. 
Brawner,    Redmond    F.,    134. 
Brawner,   Wm.    A.,    134,    138. 
Brawner,  Capt.   W.   G.,  killed,  69,  70,   71. 
Braxton,   Wm.    Armstead,   killed,   300. 
Bredell,    Edward,    killed,    300. 
Brewster,    Capt.    Charles,    289,    292,   293. 
Briscoe,   Lieut.   David    S.,    155,    370. 
Broad    Run,    52,   342,    403,   404. 
Broadwater,   Guy,    in,  233. 
Brooks,    Frank,    271. 


>I  UUttS,         I     Idlll^,       .£/    1. 

Brown,    Capt.    N.    H.,   237,   238. 

Brown,    George,    221. 

Brown,    Capt.    Harvey,    77. 

Brown,    L.,    128. 

Brown's   Crossing,   261. 

Bryan,    Joseph,    340,    368. 

Bryandt,    Lieut.,    151. 

Buchanan,    Charles,    18. 

Buchanan,   Capt.    Evan    M.,   303. 

Buck,   Dr.    R.    C.,   243. 

Bnckner,    Richard,    331. 

Bull    Run,    the    old   battlefield.    177. 

Bull   Run  Mountains,   18,   76  et  seq.;  83; 

Prison     Camp,    84,    85;     86,     109,     in, 

218,    250.    317    et    seq. 
Bunker    Hill,    260,    413. 
Burke,  Thomas  T.,   84,    145. 
Burke's    Station,    93,    204.    206,    269,    270. 
Burns,   Lieut.    Michael,    190. 
Burnt   Chimney,    312. 
Burtnete,   Capt.   D.   Henry,   265,  266,  267, 

311,   312. 
Bushwhackers,    22. 

Company    C. — organized,     115,     150,    174, 
J75,    i77»   l84»   213,   223,   224,   269,   310, 

California   Battalion,    100,    101,    142,    146, 

157- 

Call    for    Meeting  of   Command,    337. 
Calvert,    George,    161. 
Camping   Out,    272    et   seq. 
Carlisle,    D.    Grafton,    187,   304. 
Cirrington,    Luther,    285. 

Carter,   ,   240,   242. 

Carter,    Lieut.    B.    Frank,    Lieut.    Co.    H, 

363;    Arundels,    367,    368. 
Carter,    Major   Richard   H.,   258. 
Carter's    Run,   91,   92. 
Carter,    Thomas   W.,    242. 
Castleman,   John,    155. 
Castleman's    Ferry,     152,     192,    202,    212, 

213,    281,    302. 

Catlett's    Station,    64   et   seq.;    155. 
Cedar   Mountain,    17. 
Centreville,   32    et   seq.;    86,    270. 
Certificates    of    Membership,    105. 
Chancellor,    James,    285. 
Chantilly,   50   et   seq.;    99. 


Chapman,  Gen.  Geo.  H.,  234  et  seq.; 
382,  383;  Interview,  etc.,  384  et  seq. 
Chapman,  Capt.  Samuel  F.,  Miskel's, 
55.  56,  57;  Catlett's  Station,  64  et 
seq.;  140,  146,  167,  184,  195,  207; 
Capt.  Co.  E,  197;  223,  224;  Chester 
Gap,  239  et  seq.;  264,  278,  373,  395, 
417,  4i8. 

Chapman,     Lieut.-Col.     William     H.,     102, 
105,    in,    115,    116,    127,    133,    135,    136, 
140,    143,    145,    146,    162,   175,  .192,    193; 
Berryville,    206,    209";    213    et   seq.;    223, 
224,    235     et    seq.;    255,    264,    277,    283, 
309,     310,     311,    325,     326;     Lieut.-Col., 
327;    329,   339,   377,    378,    380,   381,    395, 
396,     404,     413,     416,     417;     in     Miskel 
Fight,     463;     How    He     Saved     Boston 
Corbett,    463    et    seq. 
Chappalear,    J.    Pendleton,    145. 
Chappalear's,     331. 
Charlestown,    178   et   seq.;    202,    298,    341, 

364,    414,    417,    418,    420. 
Cheney,    Perley    C.    J.,    49. 

Cheek's   Ford,    198,    199,   256,   265. 

Chester   Gap,   239   et   seq.;    289,   336. 

Chew,    Tohn   A.,    150,    358. 

Chew,    Robert,   380. 

Chipman,    Col.    N.    P.,    211. 

Citizens,  Running  on  Railroad,  272  et 
seq. 

Citizens,  Arrested  and  Imprisoned,  60; 
put  on  Trains  to  Deter  Mosby  from 
Throwing  them  off  the  Track,  272  et 
seq.;  Arrested  and  Imprisoned,  298, 
427. 

Clendenin,  Lieut.-Col.  David  R.,  186, 
200,  328,  332,  333,  335,  336,  448. 

Close    of   the    Year    1863,    116,    117. 

Close  of  the  Year    1864,   338. 

Cobbler    Mountains,   266,   268. 

Cocke,   Wm.    F.,   331. 

Coiner,   John   W.,    138. 

Cole,   Col.    Henry   A..    128,    129. 

Cole,    Lieut.,    307,    308,    309. 

Coleman,    Cleveland,    311,    312. 

Coleman,   John,   73. 

Cole's  Battalion,  118;  Attack  on  Camp, 
124  et  seq.;  Raid  through  Loudoun, 
137  et  seq.;  249;  Attack  on  Camp, 
410,  411. 

Colston,   Wm.    E.,   killed.    127   et   seq. 

Compson,    Capt.    Hartwell    B.,    236. 

Confederate    Reports,   etc.,    401. 

Conger,    Major    E.    J.,    101. 

Conway,    Lieut.,    152. 

Coon's    Mill,    iii. 

Corbin,    Sergt.    John    W.,    123,    135,    359. 

Corcoran,    Gen.    Michael,    99. 

Cornwell,    John,    136    et    seq. 

Couch,    Gen.    D.    N.,    22. 

Cowles,  A.    E.,    446. 

Coyle,   ,    155. 

Craig,    Sam.,    157. 

Crawford,    J.    Marshall,    353. 

Crook,    Gen.    George,    192,    203. 

Crook's   Ambulance   Train,    223,   230. 

Crowninshield,  Lieut.-Col.  Casper,  306, 
322,  323,  324. 

Cub    Run,    31. 

Culpeper,    34,    45,    73,   83,    164,    309. 

Cunningham,    G.,    140,    199. 

Currie,   Col.   Leonard   D.   H.,   283. 

Currie's    Brigade,    283. 

Custer,  Gen.  Geo.  A.,  214,  242,  290, 
293,  324. 

Custer's   Cavalry,   288   et   seq. 

Company    D. — Organized     154;     184,     185, 


546 


INDEX. 


194.  Adamstown,  198  et  seq. ;  208, 
213,  269,  271,  299,  300;  Hamilton, 
356,  357,  366  et  seq. 

Dahlgren,    Col.    Ulric,    79. 
Darden,    Dennis,    285. 

Davis,   ,    of   Kentucky,    54,    403. 

Davis,    Edgar,    285,    287. 

Davis,    Col.   J.    Mansfield,    16. 

Davis,     William,     188. 

Davis,    "Yankee,"    no,    in,    336. 

Dean,    Capt.,    71. 

Dear,    Charles    H.,    166,     167;    Greenback 

Raid,    260    et    seq.;    340,    353,    369. 
Dear,  H.    C.,    368,    369. 
Dear,    J.    William,    353,    368,    369. 
DeButts,   John    P..,    57,    159,    160. 
De  Forest,     Col.,     59. 
Destruction     of     Private     Property,      172, 

173,    174,    194,    316    et    seq. 
Devin,    Gen.    Thomas    C.,    319- 
Devine,    William,     159. 
Dick-son,    John    T.,    capture    Gen.     Duffie, 

281    et   seq. 
Difficult    Run,    52. 
Disbanding    of    Mosby's    Men    at     Salem, 

393    et    seq. 
Distilleries,    152. 

Downey's    Still   House,    152,   360. 
Drake,   Capt.,   215. 
Dranesville,     51     et    seq.;     141,     140.     M7- 

427. 

Draper,    Lieut.,    343,    344,    349- 
Drawing    lots,    288    et    seq. 
Drummer   Boy,   291. 
Ducheane,    Capt.    S.    P.,    58,    59- 
Duff,    Capt.    D.    K.,    346,    347,    349,    459- 

Duffie'  Gen.  Alfred  N.,   192;  captured,   281 

et    seq. 
Duffield    Station,    178    et    seq.;    260,    264, 

414. 

Dulany,    Col.,    94,    4°6. 
Dulany,   French,   94- 
Dulany,    Henry,    284. 
Dunn,    Dr.    W.    L.,    108;    Mt.    Zion,    188, 

280. 

Durland,   Major   Coe,    260,   282. 
Dwyer,    Lieut.    Philip,    212. 

Company    E. — Organized,     197,    201,    213, 

224,    269,    310,    339. 
Early,  Gen.  Jubal  A.,   171,   174,   184,    192, 

197,    203,    204,    414,    416. 
Kastham,    Phil.    B.,    361. 
Eastham,     Robert    W.      ("Bob     Ridley"), 

242,   243,    361,   362. 
Edmonds,    B.    S.,    151. 
Edmonds,    Clem.,    348. 
Edmonds,    Henry,     128. 
Edmonds,    John    C.,    92,    no,    138,    145. 
Edmonds,   Mrs.,   349. 
Edwards,     Col.     O.,    212,    259,    262,     282, 

293. 

Eigenbrodt,   Capt.   Charles   S.,    101. 
Eighteenth    Pennsylvania    Cavalry,    30,    et 

seq. 
Eighth    Illinois    Cavalry,    186,     190,     198, 

200,  204,  220  et  seq.;   255,  271,  284  et 

seq.;    33i,   354,    367    et   seq. 
Eighth  New  York  Cavalry,  234  et  seq. 
Embrey,   Win.    M.,    175. 
Emory,    Gen.    W.    H.,    451. 
Emory's,    266,    268. 
Eure's  Mill,  359. 
Ewell,    Dr.,    77,    78. 
Ewell's  Chapel,    77,   78,  79. 


Ewing,    Lieut.,    302. 

Company    F. — Organized,    231;    269,    309, 

339- 
Fairfax    Court    House,    27;     raid    on,    33 

et    seq.;    Provost-Marshal's    report,    46; 

85    et   seq.;    88,    194,   234,   270,   332. 
Fairfax    Station,   206   et   seq.;    269,    417. 
Falls   Church,   232,    271. 
Farewell   of  Mosby   to  his  Men,  393,   394. 
Farr,    Richard,   306. 

Fauquier     County,     18;     Sheridan's     wan 
ton   destruction    in,    316   et   seq.;    337. 
Fayetteville,    92,     109. 

Federal   Reports,   421    et   seq.;   447   et   seq. 
Federal      Scouting      Party      Hunting     -for 

Mosby,    440,    44 1- 
Ferguson,    Sydnor    G.,    305. 
Ferris,    Lieut.    Eugene,    361,    362. 
Fifteenth    New    York    Cavalry,    170. 
Fifth    Michigan    Cavalry,    213,    214,    253. 
Fifth    New    York    Cavalry,    28     et    seq.; 

51,    52,   57   et  seq.;   65   et  seq.;    73,  255, 

365. 
Fifth   Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery,   248, 

254,    266    et   seq. 

Fifth    Wisconsin    Volunteers,    270,    283. 
First    Detail,    18. 

"First    Four"     (Volunteers),    28,    30. 
First    Massachusetts    Cavalry,     136,     138. 
First  New    Hampshire    Cavalry,   237,    238. 
First    New    Jersey    Cavalry,    125,     136    et 

seq. 

First   New    York    Cavalry,    62. 
First    New    York    Veteran    Cavalry,     151, 

427. 

First   Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  91,    136,    138. 
First    Squadron,    208,    223;    Myers'    Ford, 

226   et    seq.;   251,    284,    302    et   seq. 
First    United    States    Cavalry,    323. 
First    Vermont    Cavalry,    31,    48    et    seq.; 

(Broad   Run),   52   et  seq.;    57;   Catlett's, 

65    et    seq.;    403. 
First     Virginia      (Confederate)      Cavalry, 

15,    18,   34. 

First      (West)      Virginia      Cavalry      (Fed 
eral),    56   et   seq.;    289. 
Fishback's,    354. 
Fisher,    Captain,    71,    72. 
Fitzhugh,    Champ,    160. 
Five   Points,    77,    81,    118. 
Flack,    Thomas,     159,     160. 
Flannery,    M.    W.,    155. 
Flamming,    Capt.    J.    H.,   206. 
Fletcher,    Benton,    358. 
Fletcher,    Mrs.,    278,    321. 
Flint,    Capt.    Henry    C.,    52    et   seq. 
Flint    Hill,    290. 
Flynn,   Wm.    S.,    228. 
Foragers,    277,    278. 
Forbes,    Lieut.-Col.    Wm.    H.,    Mt.    Zion, 

187    et   seq.;    427,    436. 
Fort   Warren,    332,    333;    List   of   Mosby's 

Men     Confined     in     Room     2,     released 

June    13,    1865,    461    et   seq. 
Forty-ninth    Pennsylvania    Vol.    Infantry, 

282. 

Foster,  John   H.,   306,   331,   360. 
Foster,   Capt.  J.   Wm.,   Capt.   Company  A, 

69;    91. 
Fourteenth     Pennsylvania     Cavalry,     325; 

Mt.    Carmel,    343    et  seq.;    Letters   from 

an   Old   Opponent,   458   et  seq. 
Fourteenth    U.    S.    Infantry,    77,    78. 
Fox,    C.    A.,    92,    187,   255. 
Fox,    Lieut.    Frank,    14;    Lieut.    Company 

C,    115;    wounded,    140;    193,   210,   225. 


INDEX 


547 


Foy,    Joseph,    242,    243. 

Frankland,  Capt.  Walter  E.,  Remin 
iscences,  27  et  seq. ;  136,  137;  Captain 
Company  F,  231;  Chester  Gap,  239  et 
seq.;  284  et  seq.;  377,  395. 

Franklin,  Capt.  Peter  A.,  126;  Captain 
Artillery  Co.,  197;  Berryville,  206  et 
seq.;  Annan  dale,  218;  266. 

Fray,  Lieut.  John  J.,  Lieut.  Artillery 
Company,  197,  207,  237,  238. 

Frazar,  Major  Douglas,  141,  142;  Wound 
ing  of  Mosby,  331  et  seq.;  337. 

Frazier,  J.   J.^    Letters   From,   458  et   seq. 

Fred,    Wm.,    257. 

Fredericksburg,    16,    17. 

Front  Royal,  62,  171,  239  et  seq.;  288 
et  seq.;  293. 

Fry,    Major,    237,    238. 

Frying    Pan,    94,    98. 

Company    G. — Organized,    313;    339. 

Games'    Cross    Roads,    288,    289. 

Gainesville,    248,    250,    423. 

Gallagher,    Rev.    Mr.,    221. 

Gallupe,    Col.    George    S.,    248,    250,    231, 

Gamble,  Col.  Wm.,  328,  333,  334.  336, 
353.  367.  368,  371,  449- 

Gansevoort,  Col.  Henry  S.,  208.  233, 
234,  245,  246.  255,  266,  267,  268,  436. 

Gannett's    Hill,     100. 

Gaul,    Christopher,    18. 

Gaylord,    Capt.,    328. 

Germantown,    29    et    seq. 

Geschky,    Frank,    207,    208. 

Gibbs,    Col.    Alfred,   423. 

Gibson,  Major  Thomas,  Report  of  Scout, 
343  et  seq. 

Gill,    George    Murray,    361,    362. 

Gill,   John,   362,    363. 

Gilman,  Lieut.   A.    E..   237,   238. 

Gilmer,    Major   Joseph,    30   et  seq. 

Gilmor,    Col.    Harry,    172. 

Gilmore,    Capt.,    123,    124,    125. 

Gipson,    Edwin,    340,    341. 

Glascock,  Capt.  Alfred,  57,  69;  Lieut. 
Co.  D,  154;  160,  192,  208,  257;  Capt. 
Co.  D,  313,  352,  353;  Harmony,  356, 
357,  395,  4i6,  417. 

Glascock.    Aquilla,    136,    336. 

Glascock's    Burnt    House,    79. 

Glascock,    Widow,    330. 

Glen    Welby.    252,    258. 

Gooding's   Tavern,    87    et   seq.;    406. 

Goose   Creek,    81,    147.   256,   359. 

Gordonsville,    16,    299,    336. 

Goresville.    311,    312. 

Graham,    Lieut.    Robert,    311    et    seq. 

Grant,  Gen.  U.  S..  His  Opinion  of 
Mosby,  24;  148,  162,  203,  204:  221, 
247,  248;  "Hang  Mosby's  Men  With 
out  Trial,"  291;  374,  381,  387,  388, 
398. 

Grape  wood    Farm,    65. 

Gray,  Lieut.  Robert,  63 ;  Lieutenant 
Co.  B,  94. 

Green,    Charles,    66. 

Greenback   Raid,    260   et   seq. 

Green   Garden    Mill,    197. 

Greenwich,   65   et   seq.;    150. 

Gregg,  Gen.  David  McM.,  91,  109,  138, 
398,  422,  425. 

Gregory's   Gap,   320. 

Griffin,    Joseph,    242,    358. 

Grigsby,'  T.    M.,    58,    59- 

Grimshaw.    Col.    A.    H.,    88,    149. 

Griswold  Light   Cavalry.     See   2ist  X.  V. 


Grogan,  Lieut.  Charles  E.,  154,  155,  164, 
165,  251  et  seq.;  258,  260,  263,  285, 
^94,  31-- 

Grubb,    Capt.    James   W.,   264  et   seq. 

Guard    Hill,    169,    170,    242. 

Guarding    the    Railroad,    273. 

Guerrillas,    21,    88,    273,    354. 

Guides,    48,    163. 

Gulick,    George,    285. 

Gulick,    John,    119. 

Company  H. — Organized,  363;  364,  366 
et  seq. 

Hall,    Major,    56. 

Hall,  Charles  Landon,  71,  73,  78,  166, 
1 86. 

Halleck,  Gen.  H.  W.,  247,  273,  317,  374, 
381,  399- 

Halltown,    180. 

Halpine,  Chas.  G.  (Asst.  Adj.  Gen.), 
170. 

Hamilton,    321,    355    et    seq.;    358,    359. 

Hammond,    Col.    John,    59,    60,    71. 

Hamner,   Captain,    137,   305. 

Hancock,  Gen.  W.  S.,  Calls  on  Mosby 
to  Surrender,  375;  Circular  to  Citi 
zens,  376;  Letter  to  Mosby,  377; 
Mosby's  Reply,  377,  378;  Dr.  Mon- 
teiro's  Account  of  Interview  with 
Hancock,  378,  379;  Letter  to  Stanton, 
378;  Letter  to  Mosby,  380,  381;  Stan- 
ton  Warns  Hancock,  381,  382;  Reply 
to  Stanton,  382;  Letter  to  Torbert, 
,•383,  384;  Refuses  to  Extend  Truce, 
386;  Letter  to  Halleck,  387;  Grant's 
Letter,  388;  Letter  to  Stanton,  395; 
Report,  396;  45L  45^. 

Haney,    ,    256. 

Hanging   of   Willis,    288,   289,   290. 

Harmony.      See    Hamilton. 

Harney,    Thomas    Francis.    369,    370. 

Harper's   Ferry,    197,   203,   264,   355. 

Harrell,    .    306. 

Harris,    Capt.,    59. 

"Harris   Light.""     See    2d    X.    V.    Cavalry. 

Harris,    Rev.    Mr..    221. 

Harrover,  Robert  M.,  Captured,  100, 
101,  102. 

Hart,    Capt.,    138.    139. 

Hart,    George    A.,    104. 

Hart,    R.    A.,    54,    403. 

Hasbrouck,    Capt.    A.    IT.,    51,   65    et   seq.; 

Hasson,   Lieut.    B.    F.,   282. 

Hatcher,   Gurley   R..   427. 

Hatcher,  Lieut.  Harry,  21,  54;  Lieut. 
Co.  A.  155;  162,  185,  187  et  seq.; 
196;  Adamstown,  198  et  seq.;  216; 
Annandale,  218;  239,  241,  261,  284, 
287,  304;  captured,  354,  355;  died, 
355;  404,  416. 

Hatcher,    R.    Welt,    39,    41,    157,    324. 

Hathaway,    James    if.,    27,    28. 

Hawkins,    Lieut.    Henry  J.,    62. 

Hazel    River,    114. 

Hazleton,    Lieut.,    66. 

Hearn,  John,  151,  255,  340,  389,  391, 
392. 

Heaton,   Harry,  228,  260. 

Hefflebower,    Edward,    369,    370. 

Helm,    Frank,    364. 

Hendricks,    L.    A.,    104. 

Herndon    Station,    48    et    seq. 

Hewett,     Capt..     Provost-Marshal,     204. 

Hibbs,   WTm.    ("Major").  69,  83,   152,    162. 

Higley,   Lieut.    E.   H.,    50. 

Hillsborough,    355. 

Hilton's    Ford,    395. 


548 


INDEX. 


Hipkins,    Fred   S.,   290. 

llipkins,    John,    344,    353,   397. 

Ihxon,    David,   81. 

Hobensack,    Lieut.    J.,    125. 

Holland's    Factory,    160. 

Holmes,    Turner,    246. 

Hooker,    Gen.   Joseph,   72,   73,   79. 

Hooper, ,    427. 

Hopewell   Gap,   84,  250. 

Horseley,  John,   373. 

Horton,    Major    Giles    G.,    220,    222. 

Hoskins,    Capt.    P».    S.,    66,    67. 

Hostages,  427. 

Houseburners   in   the  Valley,    172  et  seq. ; 

213    et    seq. 

Howard,    Gen.    O.    O.,    81,    84,    422,    423. 
Howe,  Capt.,  289. 

Hudgins,    ,    306. 

Hull,    Capt.,    230. 

Humphreys,   Chaplain   C.   A.,    190. 

Hunter,   Capt.    A.   N.,   118,    121. 

Hunter,    Gen.    David,    171;    his   barbarous 

orders,     172,    173,    174;     184,    192,    413, 

414. 
Hunter,    Lieut.    W.    L.,     18,    35    et    seq.: 

69,    136,    146,    155,    157,    158,   231,    404. 

4T2. 

Hunter's    Mill,    157,    158,    412. 
Huntoon,    Capt.,    31,    32. 
Hurst,     Edward,     18,     54,     99,    237,     366, 
403- 

Tden,    Ben,   killed,    224. 
Tden,   John,   351. 
Illustrations,    List    of,    10. 
Inspection,    299. 
Island    Ford,    299. 

James,   J.    Wright,    152,    360. 

Jarman,    Robert,   killed,    224. 

Jessie    Scouts,    23.    260,    427. 

Jewett,    Col.    A.    B.,    70,    71. 

Johnson,    Horace,    93,    163,    226. 

Johnson,   Joseph,    236. 

Johnstone,      Col.      Robert,      31,      32,      41; 

Chantilly,    51,    52. 
Jones,    David   L.,    240. 
Jones,    E.    M.,    26$. 
Jones,    Gen.    Wm.    E.,    15. 
Jones,    Jasper,    18. 
Tones,    Lieut.,    344.    345,    346,    349. 
Jones,   William,    18. 
Jones,   Zach.    F.,   353. 

Kabletown,    151,    152.    302    et    seq. 
Kearneyville,    260,    262. 

Keene, ,    194. 

Keith,    James,    255,    358. 

Kelley,   Gen.    Benj.    F.,    128,    425. 

Kenly,   Gen.  John   R.,   order   for  guarding 

trains,    4^0;    432. 
Kennerley,   Frank,    242. 
Kennon,    George    S.,    228. 
Kester,    Col.    John    W.,    138,    139. 
Keyes,   Capt.   Daniel   M.,    167,   184,   311. 
Keys,    William,     18,    54,    403. 
Kincheloe,    Capt.    J.    C.,    359- 
King,   Gen.   Rufus,    16,   89. 
Kirwin,    John,     134.    242,    243,    310. 
Kittoctan   Hills.    168. 
Knapp,    Ludwcll,     109,    no. 
Krepps,    Col.    John    S.,    32,   59. 
Krom,    Capt.,    59. 
Kuhls,    Lieutenant,    190. 

Ladd,    Jonathan,    263. 
Lake,    Ludwell,    329    et    seq. 
Lake,   Thomas  W.,   83,    188. 


Landmark,    77. 

Lansing,    Lieut.    Edwin    Y.,    220. 

Lavender,  J.,    138,    140,  328. 

Lazelle,  Col.  H.  M.,  23,  204,  207,  220, 
232,  233,  248,  255,  270,  436. 

Lee,   Gen.    Fitz.,    17,    45,    49. 

Lee   Philip,    14. 

Lee,  Gen.  R.  E.,  order  promoting  Mosby 
to  captaincy,  17;  49,  54,  73,  74,  85, 
88,  141,  147,  218,  251,  263,  269;  let 
ter  to  Mosby,  277;  retaliation,  288; 
314,  315;  orders  Mosby  to  ^  call  his 
companies  from  Northern  Neck  and 
collect  his  command,  373;  404,  4°7> 
419,  420. 

Lee,    Thomas,    14. 

Leesburg,    158   et    seq.;    187,    311,    312. 

Lewis'   Gap,    301. 

Little   River  Turnpike,  21,   50,   51,  80,   87. 

Little    Fork   Rangers,   359. 

Loudoun  County,  18,  80,  152,  162,  167, 
189,  204,  221,  222,  263;  Sheridan  s 
wanton  destruction,  316  et  seq.;  35-- 

Loudoun   Heights,    126    et   seq. 

Loudoun    Rangers,    167,    184,   264   et   seq.; 

311    et   seq.;    364. 
Love,   Lucien,  240,    241. 
Love,    Thomas,    233,    329,    33*.    33^. 
Lovettsville,    323. 
Lowell,    Col.    Charles   Russell.   86,   87,   89, 

90,  99,    TIO,    in,   116:    157.    158  et   seq.; 

177,    178;    187    et   seq.;    427. 
Lcwndes,    James,    354. 
Ludlam,    Major,    255. 
Lunzeford,    John    H.,    266. 
Lynchburg,    331,    354. 
Lynn,    John    F.    (Dadge),    215. 
Lyon,    Lieut.,   91. 

McCausland.    Gen.,    197,    326. 

McCobb, ,   killed,    137,    141- 

McCormick,    ,    213. 

McCoy,    Capt.,    59. 

McCri'ckett,  Supt.   M.  J.,  255:  killed,  257. 

McDonough,  Charles,  302,  303,  306,  307; 
466  et  seq. 

McGregor,   Capt.,    138. 

Mcllhany,    Sergt.    H.    M.,    331,    332,   333. 

Mclntire,    Lieut.,    237.    238. 

McTntosh,    Charles,    285. 

McKim,   ,    228. 

McKinney's  Report  of  Attack  on  Sheri 
dan's  Supply  Train,  432. 

McMaster,    Capt.,    59. 

McMaster,    Lieut.,    240. 

McMenamin,    Capt.,    206. 

McVey,    Richard,    369,    370. 

Maddux,   H.    Cabell,    200,    285,    306. 

Mallory,   ,    228. 

Manassas,    93. 

Manassas  Gap  R.  R.,  245;  247  et  seq.; 
273  et  seq.;  286;  work  abandoned, 
298. 

Mann,    Col.    W.    D.,    64   et   seq. 

Manning,     Capt.      (Confederate),     358. 

Manning,    Capt.    (Federal),    86,    144,    436. 

Manning,   Lieut.,   86,    in. 

Markham,    137,    138,    345. 

Marlow    Farm,    289. 

Marsh,    Detective   C.    H.,   296,    297. 

Martin,  Lieut.  Wm.,  151;  Lieut.  Co.  E, 
197;  217. 

Martindale,    Capt.,    343,    344,    347,   348. 

Marvin,  Charles,  Story  of  Prisoner  who 
Escaped  Execution,  452  et  seq. 

Mason,    Charles,    killed,    100,    101. 

Mason,   J.    S.,    354. 


INDEX. 


549 


Mason,  L.    R.,    354. 

Meade,    Captain,   299. 

Meade,  Gen.  Geo.  G.,  77,  78,  80,  104, 
139,  148. 

Meade's  Army,  "Mosby's  Men"  in  the 
midst  of,  83  et  seq. ;  87,  93,  in. 

Means'    Men,    368. 

Meigs,    Genera],    248. 

Meldrum,    Lieut.,   351. 

Mtrritt,  Gen.  Wesley,  239;  raiding  Lou- 
doun  County,  316  et  seq.;  report,  320, 
336,  337- 

Mickels,    Capt.,   219. 

Middleburg,  32,  74,  91,  in,  158,  221, 
222,  317,  319,  331,  335.  359- 

Middletown,    Va.,    171,    172. 

Miles,   Capt.   William  H.,   325,  326. 

Millan,   Joseph,    326. 

Millwood,    325. 

Minor,  Ab.,  241. 

Miskel's  (Broad  Run),  51  et  seq.;  403. 
404 

Mohler.    Sergt.    David   G.,    368,   369,    37". 

Monocacy,    198,    200,    264,    311. 

Monteiro,    Dr.    A.,    24,    3/8,    379.    380. 

Montjoy,  Capt.  R.  P.,  67,  78,  106,  in, 
114,  118,  127,  135,  139,  *4o:  i43,  T54. 
218,  258,  283,  292,  299,  30°,  309,  3"! 
killed, '312. 

Moore,    Major    Edwin    L.,    262,   264. 

Moran,    Richard,    52,    58,    228. 

Morgan,    Benjamin,    18. 

Morgan,   Col.,   215. 

Morgan,    Capt.    W.    L.,    139- 

Mosby,  Col.  John  S.,  my  first  sight  of, 
14;  sketch  of.  15;  promoted  to  Cap 
taincy,  17;  first  detail,  18;  21,  23  et 
seq.;  Federal  testimony,  24,  25,  26; 
27,  29  et  seq.;  his  account  of  raid  on 
Fairfax  C.  H.  and  Capture  of  Gen. 
Stoughton,  33  et  seq.;  Herndon,  48, 
49;  Chantilly,  50,  51;  Miskel's,  51.  et 
seq.;  Major,  54;  Warrenton  Junction, 
56  et  seq.:  61;  Catlett's  Station,  64 
et  seq.;  Seneca,  69,  70;  penetrates 
Hooker's  lines,  71,  72,  73;  Kwell  s 
Chapel,  76  et  seq.;  81,  83.  85.  86; 
Gooding's  tavern,  87  et  seq.;  Custer 
sends  300  picked  men  to  capture 
Mosby,  88;  wounded,  89.  90;  92  et 
seq.;  characteristics,  96  et  seq.;  sur 
rounded,  99,  100,  103  et  seq.;  soldier 
and  judge,  105;  Bealeton,  107  et  seq.: 
Brandy  Station,  in  et  seq.;  raid  of 
Cole's  Battalion,  118  et  seq.;  attack 
Cole's  Camp,  124  et  seq.;  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  137;  raid  Cole's  Battalion, 
137  et  seq.;  Dranesville,  142  et  seq.; 
148,  149,  150;  prisoner  escapes  with 
his  horse,  153;  Hunter's  Mill,  157; 
160;  operating  in  Grant's  rear,  162 
et  seq.;  Belle  Plain,  164,  165;  Guard 
Hill,  169,  170,  171,  172,  174,  177; 
Duffield,  181,  182,  183;  Point  of  Rocks. 

„  184  et  seq.;  Mt.  Zion,  187  et  seq.; 
192,  194;  along  the  Potomac,  197  et 
seq.;  204;  Fairfax  Station,  206,  207; 
Berryville,  207  et  seq.;  213,  216,  221, 
226,  228,  230,  232;  wounded,  233  et 
seq.;  245,  251,  252,  254,  257;  a  narrow 
escape,  258,  260;  Greenback  raid,  260 
et  seq. ;  citizens  put  on  cars  to  prevent 
trains  being  thrown  from  the  tracks, 
272  et  seq.;  letter  to  Lee,  275;  278, 
281,  282,  283,  284;  retaliation,  288 
et  seq.;  299,  310,  322;  a  full  Colonel, 
327;  letter  to  Seddon,  327;  wounded, 


328  et  seq.;  351,  352;  Harmony,  355 
t-t  seq.;  359,  360,  361,  366;  Gen.  Let's 
orders  to  collect  the  command,  373; 
what  to  do  with  Mosby,  374;  Han 
cock  calls  for  surrender  of  his  com 
mands,  375;  Mosby  sends  letter  under 
flag  of  truce  to  Hancock,  377;  Han 
cock's  reply,  380;  Stanton  cautions 
Hancock,  381,  382;  Gen.  Torbert  in 
structed  to  send  Gen.  Chapman  to 
meet  Mosby,  383,  384;  truce  with 
Federals,  384;  interview  with  Gen. 
Chapman,  385;  Hancock  refuses  to 
extend  time  of  truce,  386,  387;  Dr. 
Monteiro's  account  of  the  final  inter 
view,  389  et  seq. ;  Mosby's  farewell  to 
his  men,  392,  393;  disbands  his  com 
mand,  395 ;  starts  South  with  a  few 
men,  but  finding  the  cause  hopeless, 
disbands  them,  397;  a  reward  offered 
for  his  capture,  398;  Mosby  accepts 
terms  offered  and  is  paroled,  399 ; 
409,  411,  413,  414,  415,  4i6,  419.  420. 

Mosby,  Adjt.  William  H.,  Adjutant, 
197;  280,  331,  377. 

Mosby's  Confederacy,  105;  Cornwell 
raid,  136  et  seq.;  156;  bounds  pre 
scribed,  175;  182,  192,  256;  Sheridan's 
forces  laying  waste  to,  316  et  seq.; 
340. 

Mosby's  Men,  13;  who  they  were,  how 
they  lived,  and  how  they  fought,  18 
et  seq. ;  Warrenton  Junction,  56  et 
seq.;  63;  in  the  midst  of  Meade's 
Army,  83  et  seq. ;  sole  guardians  of 
the  territory,  105;  135,  136;  operating 
in  the  rear  of  Federal  Army,  they 
keep  thousands  from  the  front,  148, 
149,  3755  Federals  sent  out  to  capture 
six,  149;  159,  161,  192,  212,  221; 
Crook's  ambulance  train  stampeded  by 
6  Mosby's  Men,  230,  289,  293,  301; 
defeat  o"f  Blazer,  302  et  seq.;  Halleck 
wants  them  broken  up,  317;  Sheridan 
sets  to  work  to  break  them  up,  317, 
322,  332,  336,  337,  355  et  seq.;  what 
to  do  with  Mosby  and  his  Men,  374; 
a  truce  between  Mosby's  Men  and  the 
Federals,  384;  disbanding  of  the  com 
mand,  393  et  seq.;  Mosby's  farewell, 
393.  394;  Reunions:  Alexandria,  495; 
Marshall,  498. 

Mosby  Scouts  near  Georgetown,  466 
et  seq. 

Moss,    Thomas,    241,    242,    352.    353. 

Mount   Carmel,    168;    343   et   seq. 

Mount   Gilead,    83,    369. 

Mountville,    81.    360. 

Mount    Zion,    86,    415. 

Muddy    Branch,    190,   22:,    222. 

Munson,  John  W.,  94,  108,  138,  140, 
145,  285.  397- 

Munson's    Hill,    354. 

Murphy,  Lieut.  "John  N.,  r87,  291; 
Lieut.  Co.  G,  313;  315. 

Meyers'    Ford,    226   et   seq.;    301. 

Myers'    Shop.    308. 

Myerstown,    301,    304. 

Nelson,  Lieut.  Joseph  H.,  27  et  seq.; 
39  et  seq.;  69,  71,  73;  Lieutenant  Co. 
A,  94,  155,  157,  169;  Charlestown, 
179  et  seq.;  195;  Adamstown,  198 
et  seq.;  205;  Myers'  Ford,  226  et  se'q. ; 
395,  414,  4i6. 

Nesmith.    Lieut.,    346.    349. 

Newcomb,    O.    S.,    328. 


550 


INDEX. 


Newsboy,    The,    captured,    280. 

Newtown,    172,   259,   293. 

New  York  Herald  correspondents  cap 
tured,  104;  letter  from  captured  cor 
respondent,  437  et  seq. 

New  York  Tribune,  correspondent  cap 
tured,  211. 

Nicholson,    Major,    149. 

Ninth    New   York   Artillery,   283. 

Noland, ,    427. 

Noland's   Ferry,    198,   200. 

Northern    Neck?   339,    373,   374. 

North    Fork,    358. 

Nottingham,   ,    300. 


O'Bannon,    G.    M.,   256. 

O'Brien,    E.    H.,    3 5 3- 

Ohlenschlager,    Dr.    Emil,    259,    260. 

Old    Braddock    Road,.  30,    204,   206. 

Old  Capitol   Prison,   13,    16,    101,  332,   333. 

Orange    and    Alexandria    R.    R.,    63,    92, 

150. 

O'Rear,   Mrs.,    194. 
Ormsby,    William    E.,    426. 
Orrick,   John    C.,   361,    362. 
Overby,    William    Thomas,   240    et   seq. 
Owen,    Joseph    W.,   228    et   seq. 

Owens,    ,    127. 

Ox    Road,    99,    270. 

Padgett's,    87. 

Palmer,     Lieut.     W.      Ben.,      140;      Belle 

Plain,     164,     165;    Lieut.    Co.     E,    197; 

224,  284,  397- 
Paris,    135,    136,    138,    150,    154,   234,   236, 

299,    309,    310,   319,   343,   344,   345- 
Parole    Camp,    13. 
Parrott,    Sergt.    R.    B.,    331. 
Parsons,   Capt.   E.    B.,    137,   426. 
Partisan    Rangers,    regulars    vs.    partisans, 

19;    their   efficiency   and    usefulness,    20 

et   seq. 

Pass   to    Richmond,    309. 
Patterson,    Wm.    W.,    216. 
Patterson's,    63. 

Paxson,    Charles,    killed,    126    et    seq. 
Payne,    Mrs.    Dr.,    194. 

Peace   Rumors,    339;    Commissioners,    339. 
Peach    Grove,    353. 
Peale,    Col.    Henry,    320. 
Penfield,    Capt.,    59. 
Pennsylvania,      Raid     into,     79     et     seq.; 

bushwhackers,   22;    Early   in,    197,    203. 
Peola    Mills,    326. 
Philomont,    319. 
Pickets,     133. 
Piedmont,    136,    137,    138,    239,    245,    246, 

250,   256,    300,    345. 
Pierce    Col.    Lewis    B.,    320. 
Pierpont,     Governor,     Attempts     to     Cap 
ture,    93. 
Plains,     The,     107,     233,     254,     321,     354, 

367- 
Pleasonton,   Gen.    Alfred,    72,    74,    75,    77, 

88,   91,    139,    422. 

Point  of   Rocks,    185   et   seq.;   414. 
Pontier,    Nathaniel,    266. 
Pontoons,    92,    93. 
Poolesville,    Md.,    189. 
Poor    House,    322. 
Pope,    Gen.,    16. 
Port    Tobacco,    256. 
Pot   House,    324. 
Potomac    River,    152,    184,    189,    197,    198, 

204,   256,    264,    265,    357,    360,    414- 
Powell,    Dr.,    427. 


Powell,    Gen.    William    H.    288,   289,   2QO, 

-299,    336,    337- 
Prentiss,    Lieut.,    39,    41. 
I'rcssy,    Lieut.    George    H.,    237,   238. 
Preston,   Col.   Addison   W.,   65    et   seq. 
Price,   Col.    R.    B.,    56. 

Private    Property.      See    ''Destruction   of." 
Prouty,   G.   L.,   293. 
Pugh,   Lieut.    H.    F.,    250. 
Puryear.     Lieut.     John     W.,     187;     Kable- 

town,    302    et   seq.;    Lieut.    Co.    G,    313; 

395- 
Quaker   Settlement,    18,    355,    360. 

Raiding  Parties  (Federal),  60,  61,  133, 
134;  guarding  against,  156;  299,  316 
et  seq.;  342. 

Rahm,  Lieut.  Frank  H.,  142,  143;  Lieut. 
Artillery,  197. 

Randolph,  J.,   256. 

Ranger    Life,    18   et   seq.;   26. 

Rappahannock    Station,    162. 

Ratcliffe,    Charles,    14. 

Read,  Capt.  J.   Sewell,   141.   144,  *45,  M7- 

Rector,    Ed.,    209. 

Rector,   Welby    H.,    killed,    209. 

Rectors'  Cross  Roads,  50,  69,  94,  no, 
141. 

Rectortown,  81,  105,  in,  118,  162,  171, 
175,  207,  223,  250,  251,  253  et  seq.; 
269;  Retaliation,  288;  299,  317,  321, 
329,  331- 

Reed,    J.    B.,    271. 

Reno,  Col.  Marcus  L.,  Hamilton  (Har 
mony),  355  et  seq.;  358,  359,  360, 
449,  450,  451. 

Reno    Camp,    341. 

Reserve    Brigade,    239,    319,    321,    337- 

Retaliation,    275,    277,    288    et    seq. 

Return    from   the    Raid,    210. 

Revercombe,    Geo.,    142. 

Reunions — Alexandria,  495;  Marshall 
(old  Salem),  498. 

Revell,    Lieut.,    268. 

Rhodes,    Henry    C.,    240,    241. 

Rhodes,    Lieut.    Augustus   C.,   311    et    seq. 

Rice,    Col.    James    C.,    72. 

Richards,    Jesse,    344. 

Richards,  Major  A.  E.,  109,  no;  Lieut. 
Co.  C,  115,  116,  141,  150,  151,  152; 
Capt.  Co.  B,  158,  160,  162,  165,  166; 
Waterford,  167,  168,  175,  182,  185, 
192,  206,  212,  213,  226,  230,  255,  259, 
280,  284;  Defeat  of  Blazer,  302  et 
seq.;  325;  Major,  327,  329,  331,  340, 
341;  Mt.  Carmel,  343  et  seq.;  412, 
413,  414,  415,  416,  417,  418. 

Richards,  Capt.  T.  W.  T.,  58;  Mt.  Zion, 
187,  188,  304;  Capt.  Co.  G,  313,  314," 
315,  374- 

Robinson,    Capt.,    127. 

Robinson,    Gen.    John    C.,    109. 

Rock    Ford,    216,    364. 

Roessle,    Major    Henry,     170. 

Rogers,    Col.    Hamilton,    331,    427. 

Rogers,    Samuel,   369,    370. 

Roome,    Capt.,    282. 

Rosser,    Gen.    Thomas   L.,    20. 

Roster  of  43d  Battalion  Virginia  Cav 
alry,  475  et  seq. 

Rowzee,    John    Edwin,    61,    160. 

Ruggles,   Major   David   C.,   262,   264. 

Rumery,    Capt.,    no,    in. 

Russell,  Lieut.  John  S.,  48,  155,  223, 
225;  Lieut.  Co.  C,  231;  Attempt  to 
Capture  Gen.  Sheridan,  231,  232,  294, 
310,  326,  366. 


INDEX. 


551 


Salem,  109,  121,  162,  250  et  seq.;  317, 
321,  339,  393,  394,  3955  Reunion  at, 
408. 

Sampson's   Ford,    152. 

Sandy    Springs,    256. 

Schneider,    Capt.    J.,    219,    220,    270. 

Schultze,    Major   John    S.,    22. 

Schuyler,    Lieut.    R.    S.,    190. 

Scofield,    Capt.    Robert,    49. 

Scouts,    18,    48,    161,    162,    168,    177,    187, 

196,     207,     212,     213,     221,     223,     233,     234, 

256,    284,     343    et    seq.;     359,     361,    44O 

et  seq.;    466   et  seq. 
Scuffleburg,    94- 
Second     Massachusetts     Cavalry,     86,     87, 

no,    n  i ;    141    et    seq.;    161;    Mt.    Zion, 

187   et  seq.;   List   of  Killed  in  Mt.  Zion 

Fight,    188;    323,   436. 
Second   New  York   Cavalry,    16,    230. 
Second    Ohio    Cavalry,    255. 
Second    Pennsylvania    Cavalry,    49. 
Second    Squadron,    208,    209;    223    et   seq. 
Second  U.   S.   Cavalry,  240,   323- 
Seddon,    Secretary   J.    A.,    104,    120,    277; 

Retaliation,    288,    313,    3*5- 

Sedgwick,  ,   306. 

Seibert,    George,    18,    404- 

Seneca,    Md.,    69,    189. 

Seventeenth     Pennsylvania     Cavalry,     77, 

78,    243,    245,    259,    260,    282. 
Seventh     Michigan     Cavalry,     56,     64     « 

Seward,   Gen.   W.   H.,  259,   260,   262,  263, 

278,   280,  281. 
Shacklett,    Mrs.,    156. 
Sharpe,   George   H.,    399- 

Shaw,  ,   285. 

Shebangs,   272,  348. 
Shenandoah    Driving    Park,    294- 
Shenandoah    River,     165,     168,     171,     I7». 

192,   202,   207,   212,   302,   321,    343,   35i> 

Shenandoah  Valley,  162,  171,  192,  203, 
2-17  255,  292. 

Shepherd's    Mill,    178,    343,    349.    35O. 

Shepherdstown,    298. 

Sheppard,   Will,    34°. 

Sheddan  Gen.  Phil  H.,  171;  Assumes 
Command  in  the  Valley,  203:  Crippled 
by  the  Loss  of  His  Supply  Tram,  210, 
!i2-  Position  of  His  Troops,  212, 
247;  At  Rectortown, 


269 
291 
320, 


2ZZ,        ^^»J)        •*•*+/  '        ***        «'-• --  - 

Announces  capture  of  Duffie,  283, 
Mosby's  Letter  to,  294,  295,  299, 
334,  335- 

Shriver!    ChSles35Eltinge,    killed,    88,    89. 

Shuttleworth,   Lieut.   J.    H.,   23. 

Sigel,   Gen.   Franz,    165,    171,    192. 

Simpson,    Corporal,    153. 

Sinclair,   John,   97. 

Sinnott,   Harry  T.,   354,   355',    466   et   seq. 

Sixth    Corps,    196. 

Sixth    Maryland,    62. 

Sixth    Michigan    Cavalry,    56,   69    et   seq. 

Sixth    New   York   Cavalry,   224,   239. 

Sixth    U.    S.    Cavalry,    323. 

Sixth    West   Virginia   Cavalry,    23,    427. 

Sixteenth    Maine    Vols.,    109. 

Sixteenth     New    York    Cavalry,    23,     no, 

in,    142,    147,    149,    161,    177,    204,   205 

et  seq.;  219,  220,  222,  246,  266  et  seq.; 

270,   271,   328,    331    et   seq.;    436. 
Sixteenth      Pennsylvania      Cavalry,      237, 

238. 

Sixty-seventh    Pennsylvania    Infantry,    62. 
Skinker,   James    K.,    109. 
Skinner,    George,    228. 
Skinner,    Mrs.,    329,   330. 


Skinner's   House,-  187,    188. 

Slater,   George   M.,    18,   44,   205,  280,   330, 

Slough,  Gen.  John  P.,  248,  250,  251,  270. 

Smallwood,    Henry,    188. 

Smith,     Boyd,     128,     166;     Capture     Gen. 

Duffie,  281    et  seq. 
Smith,    Lieut.    Channing    M.,    Lieut.    Co. 

E,   217,   218,   356,   357- 
Smith,    D.    L.,   266. 
Smith,   Ed.,    161. 
Smith,    Fred.,   311,    312. 
Smith,    George,    256. 
Smith,    Henry,    233. 
Smith,    Norman,    71,    72,    81,    82;    Killed, 

88,    89;  .406. 
Smith,   Lieut.   W.    Garland,  Lieut.   Co.   G, 

3i3- 

Smith,   W.    P.,   265. 
Smith,    Capt.    Wm.    R.,    92;    Capt.    Co.    B, 

94,   95,    108,   in,    118,    119,    120;    Killed, 

127    et   seq.;    409,    411. 
Smithfield,    298. 

Snicker's    Ferry.     See    Castleman's    Ferry, 
Snicker's   Gap,   221,    235,   236,    364. 
Snickersville,     192,     194,     234,     235,     236, 

301,    302,    319,    321,    359. 
Snow,    Capt.     Henry    E.,    343,    344,    345, 

349;    Report,    350,    351. 
Somerset    Mills,     156. 
Soule,    G.    H.,    293. 
Sowers,    Mr.,    213. 
Sowers,    Dr.    J.    R.,    151,    167;    Mt.    Zion, 

188,   200;   wounded,   351,   404. 
Spence,    Capt.    Beldin,    267. 

Spinkx,   ,    140. 

Spotts   (the    deserter),    343,    351. 

Springfield    Station,    354. 

Stagg,    Col.    Peter,   319. 

Stahel,    Gen.    Julius,    54    et    seq.;    report, 

58,    59,    65,    66. 

Starke,    ,    140. 

Stanton,    E.    M.,    374,   398,    399. 

Staunton,    Col.,    62. 

Steele,    Major,    58,    60. 

Sterling,   Major   Wm.    R.,    71,    72. 

Stevenson,    Gen.    John   D.,    212,   246,    249, 

262,   265,   266,    267,   280,   298,   306,  319, 

320,   334,   352,   365,   450. 
Stevenson's    Hill,    250,    254. 
Stiles,    the   guide,   421. 

Stinson,   ,    251. 

Stone,   Capt.    G.   A.,    189,    190. 

Stone.   Lieut.    F.    P.,    237,   238. 

Stone,   W.    R.,   228. 

Stoughton,    Gen.    Edwin    H.,    27;    34    et 

seq. 

Strasburg,    171. 

Stratton,   Dr.    T.    E.,    100,    101. 
Stringfellow,  Capt.    Frank,    107,    109,    no; 

attack    on    Cole's    Camp,     124    et    seq. ; 

410. 

Stuart,    Gen.    J.    E.    B.,    15,    16,    45;    com 
plimentary     order,     47;     Chantilly,     51; 

sends    Mosby    a    howitzer,    63,    70,    72; 

cavalry    battle    near    Upperville,    74    et 

seq.;    85,    88,    104,    105,    120,    140,    146, 

217,    402,    404;    recommends    Mosby    for 

promotion,    407;    409,    411. 
Sudley,    187. 

Sullivan,    Major   Jerry   A.,    151,    152. 
Summit    Point,    309. 
Sutlers,    85,    86,    92,    95,     106,     107,    237, 

238. 

Sweeting,    B.    H.    ("Harry"),    57,    145. 
Sweitzer,    Col.    Nelson    B.,   328,   447. 
Swift    Shoal    Mill,    325,    326. 

Taggart,    Major    Charles    F.,    49,    55,    56. 


552 


INDEX. 


Taylor,   Lieut.    Col.   J.   H.,   270,  334,   354 
Taylor,   James    E.,   278   et   seq. 
Taylor,    J.    P.,    125. 
Taylor,    Col.    R.    F.,    151,    152. 

Tcmpleton,    ,    58,    60. 

Tennison,    Mrs.,    220. 

Third    Indiana   Cavalry,    234. 

Third    New    Jersey    Infantry,   200. 

Third     Pennsylvania     Cavalry,     123,     124, 

125,    136,    138. 
Thirteenth    New    York    Cavalry,    87,    88, 

116,    187,   205   et   seq.;   233   et   seq.;   266 

et    seq.;   270;    331    et   seq.;    352,   353. 
Thirtieth    Massachusetts    Infantry,    361. 
Thomas,   Daniel    L.,    18. 
Thomas,    John    H.,    187. 
Thomson,    Lieut.     Edward    F.,     209,    292, 

353;     Lieut.     Co.     H,     363;     Arundel's, 

367    et   seq. 

Thoroughfare    Cap,    245,   250,    254. 
Three   hundred    and    seventy-five    Federals 

sent  out  to   capture    Mosby   and   five   of 

his    men,    iaq. 
Thrift,    Ben,    207,    208. 
Tihbits,    Gen.    William    B.,    326. 
Tolles,     Lieut.-Col.     Cornelius     W-,     259, 

260. 
Torbert,    Gen.    A.    T.    A.,    203,    223,    225, 

336,   337. 

Townsend,   Adjt.-Gen.    E.    D.,   296,    297- 
Trammell,    Wm.,    306,    342;    466    et    seq. 
Transfers,    97,    98. 
Triplett,    Ben.,    135. 
Triplett,    George,    348. 
Trundle,   Lieut.    Wm.    H.,    69,    154,    iSS- 
Tuck,    Lieut.,    177,    178. 
Turberville,    Geo.    R.    L.,    68,    285. 
Turner,  Lieut.   Frank,  207,  231,   309,   359, 

366. 

Turner,    Lieut.     Thomas,     18,    69;     Good- 
ing's  Tavern,   87   et  seq.;   Carter's   Run, 

91,   92,   93,    103,    106;    Bealeton    Station, 

iio8;     Brandy    Station,     in,     114,     115; 

Lee's    Ridge,    121,    122;    killed,     126    et 

seq.;    404,    405,   406,    409,    411. 
Turner,    Tom,    231. 
Turner,    Wm.    H.,    killed,    128. 
Twelfth    New   York    Cavalry,    310. 
Twelfth    Pennsylvania    Cavalry,    320,    340, 

341,    352;     Hamilton     (Harmony),     355 

et    seq.;    427. 

Twelfth    Vermont    Infantry,    59. 
Twentieth      Pennsylvania      Cavalry,      193, 

194. 
Twenty-first     New      York     Cavalry,      153, 

166,    167;    343    et    seq. 

Twenty-second  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  282. 
Two      hundred     and      first      Pennsylvania 

Volunteers,    248,    250. 
Two    hundred    and    second    Pennsylvania 

Volunteers,    248,    250. 
Tyler,    Charles,    113,    134,    136. 
Tyler,    Gen.    E.    B.,   296. 
Tyler,    Gen.    Robert   O.,    147,    426. 

Underwood,    Bushrod,    48,    81,    157,    328, 

341,    342,    352;    466    et    seq. 
Underwood,    John,    48,    50. 
Underwood,    Samuel,    48,   58,    59,   81,    141. 
Union   Mills,    177. 
Upperville,    13,    62,   63,    74,    91,    118,    125, 

140,    141,    160,    161,    178,    184,    197,    202, 

204,      217,      221,      222,      245,      255;      284      et 

seq.;     316,     321,     343,     346,     349,     351, 
352,    359,   366,    367. 
Utterbacks,    231. 

Vernon,     Lieut.-Col.     Geo.     W.     F.,     126, 
129. 


Vest,   Charles    B.,    256. 

Vienna,    328,    342,    353. 

Vineyard,  The   (Residence  of  John  Eston 

Copke) ,    300. 

Virginia    Central    Railroad,    336. 
Von    Massow,    Baron,    145. 

Waite,    Major    John    M.,     199,    204,    211, 

221,   223. 

Walker,  Charles  H.,  209. 
Walker,  Lieut.  J.  S.,  212. 
Walker,  Capt.  Robert  S.,  151;  Mt.  Zion, 

188;     Captain     Co.     B,    328,     342,    344, 

345,    366,    397- 
Waller,    John    T.,    354. 
Walsh,    Major  J.    W.,    123. 
Walston,    William   B.,    123,    135,    178,    179, 

227. 

Ward,    Lieut.    G.    S.    Luttrell,    125. 

Ware,   ,    160. 

Warner,    Captain,    370,    371. 

Warrenton,  Capture  of  Train,  103,  104, 
106,  107,  in,  136,  156,  424. 

Warrenton    Junction,    56    et    seq. 

Warrenton    Rifles,    27. 

Washington   Mounted    Rifles,    15. 

Waterford,    167,    168,   321,   360,   412. 

Waters,   Hugh   T.,    188;    466  et  seq. 

Waters,   Levi,    128. 

Watery    Mountain,    121. 

Watson,   Lieut.    Alex.    G.,   49. 

Weatherbee,    Sergt.,    153. 

Weber,    Gen.    Max,    211. 

Weitzel,    Gen.    G.,    174. 

Wells,    Col.    Henry    H.,    328. 

Wells,    Major    Wm.,    49. 

Wetherill,   Capt.,    138. 

Whaley,  Walter,  92,  94,  95,  108,  in, 
142,  160,  177,  204,  206. 

Wharton,    A.    G.,    266. 

Wheatley,    Charles,    18. 

Whereabouts  and  Occupation  of  Surviv 
ing  Members,  487  et  seq. 

Whitacre,    Robert,    79. 

White,   Col.    Elijah    V.,    17. 

White    Post,    325. 

White's    Battalion,    28,    221. 

White's    Ford,    264. 

Whitescarver,    Lieut.    Geo.,     27    et    seq.; 


39   et   seq.;    69,    70. 
Whiting" 


et    seq. 


61;     178    et 


ig's    Frank,    300. 
Wild,    John,    18,    404. 
Williams,     Lieut.     Franklin, 

39  et  seq.;   Lieutenant   Co.    B,   94,    100, 

TOT,    142,    146. 

Williams,    Sergt.    J.    J.,    285. 
Williamsburg,    374. 
Williamson,     James     J.,     13, 

seq.;   226,   227,   342. 
Willis,  A.   C.,  2L3,   289. 
Wilson,    Gen.,    230. 

Wiltshire,    Charles,    340,    341,    361.    362. 
Wiltshire,     Lieut.     James     G.,     216,     256, 

260,    261,    326,    340;   Lieutenant   Co.   H, 

363;   Arundel's,    367   et   seq;    397. 
Winchester,    299. 

Winchester  and  Potomac   R.   R.,  298,  361. 
Winship,    Capt.    W.    W.,   273. 
Wolf    Run    Shoals,    369,    370. 
Woolf,    Francis    M.,    188,    228. 
Wrenn,     Lieut.     Albert,      14;     Lieutenant 

Co.    B,    94,    136,    209,    285,    349,    366. 
Wrenn,    Sergt.   James   W.,   135,    153. 
Wright,    Gen.    Horatio    G.,    196. 
Wyckoff,   Lieut.    Jesse   F.,   62,    152. 
Wyndham,    Col.    Percy,    35    et    seq.;    401. 
Yager,    Lieut.    Frank,    Lieutenant    Co.    C, 

115. 

Yates,  -  ,    128. 
Yates,    Francis   Marion,    228,    353. 


INDEX  TO  APPENDIX. 


Confederate    Reports,    etc.,    arranged    chronologically,    pages    401     to    420,    inclusive. 
Federal    Reports,    etc.,    arranged    chronologically,    pages    421    to    441,    inclusive. 


Adamstown,    Md.,    416. 

Aldie,    Va.,   426. 

Alexander,    John    H.,    466. 

Ames,    Lieut.    James    F.     (Big    Yankee), 

404. 

Angelo,   Frank  M.,   459. 
Annandale,    Va.,    407. 
Armstrong,    S.    R.,    458. 
Arrington,     G.      W.      (John     C.     Orrick), 

489,    498,    500,    504. 
Avenged     by     General     Mosby,     Marvin's 

Story,    452. 

Barnes,   John   H.,    436. 

Beattie,    Lieut.    Fountain,    448,     495. 

Berryville,    attack    on    Sheridan's    Supply 

Train,    417,    430. 
Biedler,    Sergt.    Wm.    T.,    492. 
Blanchard,      Harris      Chamberlain,       510, 

5H- 

Blazer    affair,    495,    496. 
Bonnie    Blue    Flag,    516. 
Bowie,    Brune,    476. 
Bowie,     Lieut.     Walter,     474;     death     of, 

477;   491- 
Braden,   Gabe,   504. 

Carpenter,    T.    A.,    459. 

Carter,     ,     killed     at     Front     Royal, 

502,    503. 

Catlett's    Station,    408. 
Centreville,    414. 
Chapman,     Capt.     Samuel     F.,     417,     418, 

451,    489,    492. 
Chapman,     Lieut.-Col.     William     H.,     404, 

413,    416,    418,    440,    463,    485,    489. 
Charlestown,    W.    Va.,    414,    417. 
Chew,    John,    504. 
Chew,    Robert,    503. 
Clendenin,     Lieut.-Col.      David     R.,      438, 

504- 
Cole's   camp   on  Loudoun    Heights,   attack 

on,   410,    485. 

Cole's    Maryland    cavalry,    410,    485. 
Cook,    H.    L.,    502. 
Corbett,    "Boston,"    464. 
Cowles,   A.    E.    (letter),    442. 

Dear,   Charles  H.,   487,   503. 

Dixie,   the  original,   515. 

Dranesville,    403. 

Dudley,  Lieut.   Ira  L.,  491. 

Duff,    Capt.    D.    K.,    459,    460. 

Duffield    Station,    414,    417. 

Dulany,    Col.,    406. 

Dunn,    Dr.    Wm.    L.,   494,    497. 

Dunnington,    Charles   A.,    497. 

Early,    Gen.    Jubal   A.,    414,    416. 

Fairfax    Station,    417. 

Federal      scouting      party      hunting       for 

Mosby,    446. 
Federal     scouting    party    in    the     Shenan- 

doah    Valley,    427. 
First    Ve'teran    Corps,    441. 
Five     to     One,     Lieut.     Frank     Williams' 

fight   in   Ashby's   Lane,   493. 


Flint,   Capt.    Henry   C..   442. 

Forbes,    Lieut.-Col.    Wm.    II.,    427,    436. 

Franklin,    Capt.    Peter    A.,    501. 

Frazier,    J.    J.    (letter),    460. 

Front   Royal,   413,    501,    525. 

Gansevoort,    Col.    Henry    S.,    435. 

Geschky,    Frank    ("Zoo"),    500. 

Gill,    George    Murray,    489. 

Gooding's    Tavern,    406,    495. 

Gray,    Lieut.    Robert,    486. 

Grayson,   John   Taylor,    486. 

Gregg,   Gen.    David   McM.,   425. 

Grogan,  Lieut.  Charles  E.,  escape  from 
Johnson's  Island  and  journey  back  to 
Dixie,  482;  wounding  of,  504. 

Hague,   the,'   491. 

Hamilton      (Harmony),      439,      440,      441, 

5°3- 

Haney,   Ta,mes    E.,    475. 

Harris,   H.   G.,   461. 

Harrison,    Henry    H..    507. 

Harrover,  Robert  M..  capture  and  escape 
from  Old  Capitol  Prison,  477. 

Hart,  George  H.,  X.  Y.  Herald  cor 
respondent,  captured  by  Mosby,  443. 

Hatcher,    Lieut.    Harry,    404,    416,    497. 

Hatcher,  Welt,    504. 

Hefflebower,    John,    450. 

Hostages,   427",   436. 

Howard,    Major-Gen.    O.    O.,    422,    423. 

Hunter,   Lieut.    Wm.    L.,    404,    412. 

Hunter's    Mills.    412. 

Hurst,    Edward   S.,    403.    488. 

Illinois,    regiment:    Eighth     Cavalry,    438. 

440,    475,    504. 

Indiana,    regiment:     First    Cavalry,    422. 
In    Memoriam,    519- 

Johnson's    Island   Prison,    482. 
Jones,   David  L.,   495. 
Jones,    Jasper,    495. 
Jones,    Gen.   Wm.    E.,    495- 

Keith,    James,     504. 

Kenly,    Gen.    John    R.,    4*7,   43°- 

Keys,    William,    403. 

Kinsale,    491. 

Last   Parade,    the,    508. 

Last    scout    in    Sheridan's    rear,    487. 

Lazelle,   Col.   H.    M.,   436. 

Lee,  Gen.    Robert   E.,  402,   404,  407,   419. 

420,    490. 
List    of    Mosby's    men    confined    in    room 

No.     2,    Fort    Warren,     Boston     harbor. 

461. 

Lofland,    G.    S.,    450. 
Lorena,    518. 

Loudoun    County    Rangers,    438,    440. 
Lowell,   Col.    Charles   Russell,   427. 

McDonough,    Charles,    466. 
Manning.    Capt.     (Federal).    436. 
Maryland    Line   Camp    Song.    506. 
Maryland,      regiments:      Third      Maryland 


553 


554 


INDEX. 


Potomac   Home    Brigade,    430. 

Massachusetts,  regiments:  Second  Cav 
alry,  426;  Fourth  Cavalry,  491. 

Michigan,     regiment:     Fifth     Cavalry, 

Middleburg,    Va.,    421. 

Miskel's    (Broad    Run),    442. 

Modern  Rob  Roy,  letter  of  captured 
New  York  Herald  correspondent,  443. 

Mohler,    Theodore,    495. 

Monocacy,    416. 

Monteiro,    Dr.   A.,   494,    505. 

Montjoy,    Capt.    R.    P.,    453- 

Mosby,  Col.  John  S.,  401,  404,  407,  408, 
409  410,  412,  417,  419,  420,  422,  438, 
439,  448,  487,  494,  495,  496,  500. 

Mosby    (song),    510. 

Mosby    at    Hamilton,    513. 

Mosby's  Last   Raid  into  Loudoun    (song), 

51  !• 

Mosby   and  his   Men,    448. 

Mosby's     Men,     A     Glimpse     of      (song), 

5°7- 

Mosby's   Men,    442,    502. 
Mosby's    Scouts    near    Georgetown,    466. 
Mount    Zion,    415. 
Myers'    Ford,    495. 

Nelson,   Lieut.  Joseph  H.,    414,    416,   418, 

495- 

New  York,  regiments:  First  New  York 
Veterans,  427;  First  New  York 
Mounted  Rifles,  491;  Second  Cavalry, 
408,  452;  Sixth  Cavalry,  431;  Six 
teenth  Cavalry,  436,  437,  504;  Six 
teenth  New  York  Heavy  Artillery, 
490;  Thirteenth  Cavalry,  504. 

Northern   Neck,   Va.,    489. 

O'Bannon,    George   M.,    475,    488. 

Ohio,  regiments:  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-ninth  National  Guard,  430;  One 
Hundred  and  Forty-fourth  National 
Guard,  430. 

Old    Capitol    Prison,    478. 

Ormsby,    William    E.,    426. 

Orrick,    John    C.      See    G.    W.    Arrington. 

Overby,    William    Thomas,    502. 

Owen,    Joseph    W.,    495. 

Pennsylvania,  regiments:  Twelfth  Cav 
alry,  427;  Fourteenth  Cavalry,  458; 
Twenty-second  Cavalry,  425. 

Pickets    (Federal),    422,    425. 

Palmer,    Lieut.    W.    B.,    403,    413,    500. 

Pleasonton,    Gen.    A.,   422,    424. 

Point    of   Rocks,    414. 

Present  Whereabouts  of  Surviving  Mem 
bers,  529. 

Randolph,   John,   475. 

Ratcliffe,    George,    475. 

Reno,    Col.    Marcus    A.,    439. 

Reserve    Brigade,    433. 

Reunions,    520. 

Rhode    Island,    regiments:    First    Cavalry, 

425,    432,    502. 
Richards,    Major    A.    E.,    412,    413,    414, 


416,    417,    418,    496,    497. 
Richards,   Capt.   Thomas   W.  T.,   490,  497. 
Roster,    532. 
Russell,    Lieut.    John    S.,    441. 

Scout  (Federal)  from  Vienna  into  Lou 
doun  County,  437;  Scout  (Fed.)  from 
Fairfax  into  Loudoun  County,  438; 
Scout  (Fed.)  in  the  Shenandoah  Val 
ley,  427;  Scout  through  Mosby's  Con 
federacy,  446. 

Seibert,    George,    404. 

Sheridan's  supply  train,  attack  on,  430; 
report  Major  Beardsley,  430;  report 
Capt.  McKinney,  432 ;  testimony  Capt. 
J.  C.  Mann  before  the  Board  of  In 
quiry,  434. 

Shuttleworth,   Lieut.    J.    H.,   429. 

Sinnott,    Harry   T.,    466. 

Smith,   George,    475. 

Smith,    Norman    E.,   406. 

Smith,  Capt.  Wm.  R.,  406,  408,  409, 
411,  485. 

Sowers,    Dr.    J.    R.,    404. 

Stahel,    Gen.    Julius,    421. 

Steele,    Billings,    504. 

Stringfellow,    Capt.    Frank,    410. 

Stuart,  Gen.  J.  E.  B.,  405,  407,  408,  409, 
411. 

Surprises,  Federal  regulations  to  guard 
against,  429. 

Sweitzer,    Col.    Nelson    B.,    437. 

Thomas,   Alban   G.,    476. 

Torbert,    Gen.    Alfred   T.    A.,    502. 

Trammell,    William,    466. 

Turner,    Lieut.    Thomas,     405,     409,    410, 

411,   487. 
Tyler,    Gen.    Robert   O.,    426. 

Underwood,   Bushrod,  438,   464,  466,  495. 

Vandeventer,   J.    H.,    504. 

Vandeventer,    William,     504. 

Vermont,    regiments:    First    Cavalry,    403,. 

442. 
Vest,    Charles    B.,    475. 

War   Songs   of   the    South,   506. 

Warrenton,    Va.,    410,    424,    426. 

Warthen,    F.    A.    (scout),    427. 

Waterford,    Va.,    412. 

Waterloo,    Va.,    406. 

Waters,   Hugh   T.,    466. 

West   Virginia,   regiments:    Sixth   Cavalry, 

427. 

Wild,    John,    404. 

Williams,   Lieut.    Franklin,   416,    493,    495. 
Williamsburg,   Va.,   attack  on   picket  post, 

490. 

Willis,    S.    C.,    502 
Wiltshire,    Charles,    487,    503. 
Wiltshire,    Lieut.    James    G.,    474,    487. 
Wright,   Hon.   D.    Giraud,   483. 
Wyndham,    Col.    Percy,   401. 

"Zoo."      See   Frank   Geschky. 


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